The Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam members staged a demonstration here outside the Superintendent Engineer’s office, Tangedco, at Avadhanapatti demanding compensation for agricultural lands that fall on the path of the power grid and accompanying loss of land value, here on Wednesday.
The power transmission through Mettur to Thiruvalam and Dharmapuri to Bengaluru has affected trees on agricultural lands that fall along the way.
According to Rama Gounder, general secretary, Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam, the high power 400MW lines that pass over the agricultural fields has led to the felling of trees.
Yet, the Tangedco has not compensated several farmers for the loss of trees. “Teak trees, coconuts, and groves of mangoes have largely been affected.”
Further, the protesters also voiced concern over non-compensation for setting up of transmission towers over patta lands.
According to Mr. Rama Gownder, a transmission tower requires 65 cents and Tangedco once set up, the value of the adjoining lands witness an automatic fall in market value of up to 90 per cent. However, transmission towers are set up without adequate compensation to land owners.
“It’s time, the government paid a monthly rent of Rs. 10, 000 for farmers and also pay Rs. 10, 000 as compensation for the felling of trees,” he said.
The farmers also demanded three-phase power supply for agriculture for 16 villages. According to the farmers, the villages were supplied with only a three hour power supply in the past week. This had affected the crop cultivation in an area that formed the delta of river Thenpennai.
