Revenue and irrigation officials are being blamed for the chaos in the Hiramandalam and Kotturu mandals of the district as they have reportedly failed to protect the lands after completion of the acquisition process almost a decade ago.
Sources said the government had acquired 11,697 acres of land for the Vamsadhara Phase II project in 2006-07 by paying up to ₹1.33 lakh per acre after taking the consent of the farmers.
However, local officials allowed cultivation in the acquired lands as there was delay in the construction of the project following objections raised by the Government of Odisha.
However, the government resumed work after getting a favourable order from the Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal, which allowed construction of a side weir that facilitated storing of water in the Vamsadhara reservoir.
The villagers who are cultivating lands are reportedly insisting on continuing the activity even after resumption of the project works.
“The mistakes committed by the local revenue and irrigation officials have led to many problems in Hiramandalam. They should have taken adequate steps to shift the displaced families to the Vamsadhara colonies as payment has been made for many properties in villages such as Tulagam, Padali, and Krishnapuram,” said a senior official.
“As the officials concerned failed to protect the acquired lands and other properties, the villagers are now insisting on payment of additional compensation under the Land Acquisition Act-2013. It is impossible for any government to apply the Act for acquisitions made earlier,” he said.
Tension continues
Meanwhile, tension is continuing in the villages as people are not happy with the facilities provided in the newly constructed colonies. They are opposing the filing of cases against women who participated in the agitation on Wednesday last. The officials made it clear that it was not possible to withdraw the cases as they attacked the police personnel and the drivers of earth-movers used for the project work.
