PUNE, 9 NOV. Farmers have expressed anger over the proposed compensation of up to one crore rupees per acre for the land to be acquired for the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj International Purandar Airport. Additionally, the proposal includes providing double the value as compensation for components like houses, cattle sheds, wells, borewells, water pipelines, and fruit/forest trees, as stated by District Collector Jitendra Dudi a few days ago. However, affected farmers from seven villages have strongly opposed this compensation amount and have once again raised the slogan, 'We don't want the airport'. The farmers have announced their intention to submit a memorandum and warned of a forthcoming agitation.
Allegation of Suppressing the Voice of the Majority
A meeting of the affected farmers from seven villages was held at Mahalakshmi Hall in Vanpuri (Purandar Taluka). Farmers from Ekhatpur, Khanwadi, Kumbharvalan, Munjwadi, Pargaon, Udachiwadi, and Vanpuri were present. The farmers alleged that the voice of the majority was suppressed in the meetings held by the District Collector and some leaders. They accuse a handful of brokers and agents of colluding with the administration for their self-interest and agreeing to the airport project. It is the firm opinion of all the true farmers that they will absolutely not accept this project on their land. All seven villages remain firm on their stand of 'We will not give up the land'.
Demand for Transparency in Package and Respect for Original Farmers
The farmers contend that the government is preparing the compensation package only for the convenience of investors and builders. They feel that the participation, standard of living, future of the next generation, and social justice for the original landowners have not been considered. They demand that no decisions should be implemented without taking the farmers into confidence.
They demand that the farmers should receive a 35% developed plot and an FSI (Floor Space Index) of 5 in the developed airport area as compensation. Furthermore, the ownership of this plot should be granted permanently via 7/12 (property title document) prepared in their name (without any lease agreement or other conditions). This will enable farmers to start their own businesses as a means of livelihood in the future.
Market Rate and Other Demands
The farmers demand that the compensation rate for those affected by the airport should be the same as that given for the Ring Road project, which is ₹7 lakh to ₹10 lakh per Guntha. They also demand that joint families with separate ration cards should be provided with separate space for a house. For families living in the same house but having separate ration cards, each family should be provided with a 3 Guntha plot for house construction. Compensation for all types of houses (old or new, raw or concrete construction) should be given at 2.5 times the value, enabling the common farmer to build a permanent house. The farmers have warned of an agitation if these demands are not met.
000
