In a move that would create embarrassment to the government, some 100 farmers of Etigaddkishtapur in Toguta mandal submitted a letter to the Collector stating that they would not surrender the land acquired by the government under GO 123, which was set aside by the High Court.
In a letter submitted to the Collector on Friday, Nutikanti Rajamallaiah, K. Balnarsaiah and others of Etigaddakishtapur said that the government had purchased their land and paid compensation under GO 123 by bringing undue pressure on them.
“I was not given proper time even to think and was forced to sign on the papers for selling my land. They have paid me ₹ 5.7 lakh and most of the amount was spent to clear old debts and meet the family requirements. I cannot buy any land with the remaining amount. Though my land was taken about two years ago the work has not yet commenced and I am solely dependent on farming.”
“The officers are telling me that there will be no rehabilitation and resettlement under GO 123. Please extend me provisions of Right to Fair Compensation in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act – 2013 (LA Act – 2013) under which I can get rehabilitation,” he said.
“The officers told us that we would be offered rehabilitation but after registration process was completed, but so far no official has visited our village and spoke about rehabilitation measures,” the farmers said in their letter.
“The High Court had set aside the GO 123 and had not delivered any final judgement on whether the registrations under the same were valid. I am not ready to hand over my land till final judgement is given by the court,” said Mr. Rajamallaiah in his letter. Similar letters were written by Balnarasaiah and others.
