Noida authority chairman and CEO Balvinder Kumar has said even the state government cannot effect a hike in land compensation already paid to farmers.
He, however, said the authority was committed to solving other issues and saving real estate projects in Noida.
Farmers of dozens of villages in Noida have been agitating since July 21, threatening to stall real estate projects coming up in areas surrounding Sector 74 as well as along the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway, if their demands were not met.
Talking to HT, Kumar admitted non-allotment of developed land plots to farmers, whose land was acquired over the years, had resulted in the current land crisis. “There is a clear sense of anger. Had the abadi land been kept out of the acquisition process, farmers would not have moved court. Plus, allotment of plots is subject to solving of abadi disputes,” the chairman said.
Announcement for such allotments, in addition to cash compensation for the land acquired, was made in 1997, but till 2008, not more than a dozen plots were allotted. The process has only now picked up some pace with 2,500 allotments made post-2008.
The chairman said 10,000 farmers were affected because of non-allotment of plots. The authority has identified 125 hectares, which would be used for allotments in 20 villages. "The market value of one such plot is up to R2 crore. This will be a huge relief. Land rates in Noida have gone up drastically. That's one silver-lining."
{{/usCountry}}The chairman said 10,000 farmers were affected because of non-allotment of plots. The authority has identified 125 hectares, which would be used for allotments in 20 villages. "The market value of one such plot is up to R2 crore. This will be a huge relief. Land rates in Noida have gone up drastically. That's one silver-lining."
{{/usCountry}}Of the 54 villages in Noida, 40 have been agitating for plots for years. The authority is trying to pacify farmers in those villages (surrounding Sector 74 and located along the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway), where big-ticket real estate projects are underway.
“We have finalised a list of 1,000 farmers in five villages for allotments. Letters will be issued in a couple of days. We will identify more land for the rest 20 villages,” Kumar said. “I have promised farmers will be allowed to retain what they term abadi land and given 5% of their fields, acquired years ago, in developed sectors.”