The Telangana State Electricity Regulatory Commission (TSERC) has directed the power utilities to approach district collectors requesting them to frame guidelines for awarding compensation in fair and transparent manner to farmers and others in lieu of laying high-capacity power transmission lines through their lands to reduce increasing number of disputes.
Expressing its concern at the woes of the farmers whose land values were diminishing on account of laying of 132KV, 220KV and 400KV transmission towers without payment of adequate compensation, the Commission has advised the district collectors to frame guidelines for awarding fair compensation in transparent manner, if not framed already, keeping in mind the public interest.
Natural justice
The Commission noted the district collectors, while awarding compensation under the Electricity Act, 2003, should follow the principles of natural justice and also the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act. “The Collectors must bear in mind the location of the land, whether it is in interior village or nearer to the cities and urban areas and having potentiality for developing into residential and industrial complexes, besides following the guidelines issued by Government of India in respect of right of way,” the order noted.
In its order issued earlier this week, the Commission, has made it clear that it has no jurisdiction to award compensation to farmers from whose lands the transmission lines are laid but has powers to revise the compensation orders passed by the district collectors.
No jurisdiction
“The Commission cannot assume the jurisdiction on its own, it must be conferred on it by the Act and Rules,” Chairman of TSERC Ismail Ali Khan observed in the order.
The Commission order assume significance in the background of farmers’ opposition to laying high-tension power transmission lines at several places in the State without being paid adequate compensation.
Crop loss
The Commission was disposing a petition filed by one Allu Venkat Reddy of Pedda Ummantala village in Pudur mandal of Rangareddy district urging it to direct the Transmission Corporation of Telangana Limited (TS-Transco) to pay compensation for loss of crop and loss of value of the land under the two 400KV transmission towers and lines laid in his land. It has refused to grant relief as sought stating that it has no jurisdiction for the purpose.
Counsel for the petitioner explained before the Commission that about 600 square yards of land would become permanently unfit for agriculture or commercial purpose for 60 years, the lifespan of a tower, under each tower of 400KV transmission line.
