With less than 24 hours left for laying foundation for the prestigious Indian Institute of Management on Saturday, farmers who have occupied the land meant for the institute at Gambheeram village near here have agreed to accept terms of compensation.
While the government would provide compensation as per the norms in the case of those having D form pattas, the issue was kept boiling for the last few weeks by farmers who have encroached the land and sought compensation since they are losing their means of livelihood. Then the workers of three quarries located in the nearby area also sought compensation.
Collector N. Yuvaraj and other senior officers held talks with them during the last few days. The issue was deadlocked for some time since the government had to find a way out because there was no provision to give compensation to occupiers of land and it should also ensure that it should not become a precedent. The farmers agreed to allow survey of land and finally on Friday, HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, who is also MLA of the area, along with Mr. Yuvaraj and other officials spoke to the farmers at the village and later held talks with them and sorted out the issue.
The farmers have agreed to accept a compensation of Rs. 6,000 per cent (Rs. 6 lakh for acre) while Rs, 50,000 would be paid to each quarry worker. As many as 171 farmers occupied 121.51 acres. Of them 42 have more than an acre each and 129 less than an acre each. Mr. Srinivasa Rao said this package was first of its kind and does not exist in R and R package. An extent of 466 acres was allotted to the IIM. A hill occupies more than 230 acres and in the rest of the area around 80 acres are fit for construction of buildings.
This package is the first of its kind and does not exist in R and R package, says HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao
