Chandigarh, December 19
On September 28, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh had declared that "not even a single kanal" of land would be acquired for special economic zones (SEZs). He also assured farmers that the government would not allow private firms to cheat farmers by buying land below its market price.
Not only this, the Chief Minister also asserted that his government would review all acquisitions made in the recent past and ensure that a "fair market price" was given to farmers in lieu of their land.
Following the announcements, the Punjab Government started working on a plan to make changes in the process of land acquisition so that the market price of the land under acquisition was calculated. However, the government seems to have forgotten the assertions
Inquiries conducted by The Tribune have revealed that while the current market price in areas falling in the proposed Sector 81 of Mohali is over Rs 2.5 crore per acre, the government is planning to pay just Rs 65 lakh.
Moreover, it is also learnt that senior government officials have told the Chief Minister that it will not be legally possible to pay the market price to those farmers whose lands were acquired earlier.
The major projects for which land is to be given in Mohali are the Indian Institute of Science, the National Institute of Biotechnology, the National Institute of Nanotechnology, the Biotechnology Park and the Indian Institute of Public Health. A total area of 417 acres is being acquired for the purpose.
After a series of investigative reports carried by The Tribune, which exposed how poor farmers were being taken for a ride by the government to give benefit to private companies, the Prime Minister and the Congress chief had intervened and told Capt Amarinder to ensure that farmers did not suffer any loss.
The Prime Minister had also written to the Chief Minister, asking him to ensure that the farmers did not feel cheated in the process.
But, the recent developments tell a different story.
A sale deed of land registered in Mohali puts the price of one acre of land at 1.6 crore.
"Everyone knows that registration is never done on the actual amount paid. This is done to save stamp duty charges. The real cost must have been higher. Why doesn't the government take this as yardstick and pay to farmers," asks Mr B.S. Baidwan of the Kissan Hit Bachao Committee.
