Farmers Planned To Stage Demonstration
The Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangham has planned to stage a demonstration in front of Bharathiar University on December 17 demanding settlement of compensation to the farmers whose lands were acquired in 1977. In a press release here, State president M.R. Sivasamy said that 1,200 acres of agricultural lands were acquired in Somayampalayam and Vadavalli panchayats in 1977 at the rate of Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 8,000 an acre. In 1986, farmers whose lands were acquired moved the court contesting that the compensation provided for the lands were inadequate. On October 29, 2007 the court passed an order stating that beneficiaries should be given Rs. 2.30 lakhs to Rs. 3.60 lakh an acre as compensation besides 30 per cent of the estimated land value as ex gratia and 12 per cent interest. Accordingly, farmers should get Rs. 13 lakhs as compensation. Whereas the market value of land in Bharatiar University now was close to Rs. 1.5 crores. Even the meagre compensation had not been disbursed after 30 years of acquisition and one year of court ruling.
Farmers said that they are tired of having represented the Bharatiar University and the revenue department for its intervention. Because of the acquisition of farm lands in 1977, a number of farmers have lost their livelihood pushing their families into poverty. Hence, the administration should take steps to make Bharatiar University disburse the compensation.
