Farmers who lost land to Reliance SEZ to get plots, enhanced compensation

The land owners are also likely to get royalty and enhanced compensation of around Rs 900 crore by September as per a Supreme Court order.

Farmers from five Gurgaon villages, who were demanding their land back or payment of enhanced compensation and plots in lieu of property acquired, have been asked by Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) to apply for commercial and residential plots.

Around 1,590 acres in Gadholi Khurd, Harsaru, Khandsa, Narsingpur and Khandsa villages of Gurgaon were acquired in 2006 for setting up Reliance SEZ. (HT Photo)

The land owners are also likely to get royalty and enhanced compensation of around Rs 900 crore by September as per a Supreme Court order.

Around 1,590 acres in Gadholi Khurd, Harsaru, Khandsa, Narsingpur and Khandsa were acquired in 2006 for setting up Reliance SEZ (special economic zone). The was to be developed jointly by Reliance and the Haryana government. However, the project remained in limbo for a long period and, thereafter, it was scrapped. This prompted farmers to demand their land back.

Gurgaon based activist Ravi Dutt said after a long and protracted negotiation, the HSIIDC has agreed to allot commercial and residential plots to farmers in the five villages.

“A number of promises were made to land owners regarding compensation, jobs, and plots, but none was delivered. It is after a great deal of negotiation that the government has agreed to give plots,” Dutt said. The move is likely to help around 2,000 families in these villages, who had lost their land to the grand SEZ project, which failed to take off.

Dutt also said the government has agreed to pay royalty to the tune of Rs 33,000 per acre/ per year to the farmers for 33 years, with an enhancement of Rs 1,000 every year.

“We are expecting that around Rs 900 crore of enhanced compensation will be paid to land owners soon,” he said.

While most of the issues are resolved, the villagers want the government to provide a job to one member of every family, whose land has been acquired by the HSIIDC.

Dutt said during discussions, it was observed that both HSIIDC and Industries department were shifting the onus to each other. “Someone has to take a call on this as providing employment is part of the policy and it is not right to say this promise was not in the notification,” he said.

The HSIIDC is not convinced about the provision of employment to villagers.

“We have asked villagers to apply for commercial and residential plots. The eligibility will be scrutinized and plots allotted as per policy. However, there is no provision for employment in this notification, and the land owners are citing a previous rule which is not applicable,” said a senior HSIIDC official.