Farmers seek compensation for land lost under HT lines

The controversy over compensation for farm lands falling under high-tension power lines is growing. Farmers who were ignorant of the injustice meted out to them are getting united and questioning the government. Now, the agitation has commenced in Medak district.

Two high-tension power lines – 400 KV and 765 KV – are laid from Wardha in Maharashtra to Mahabubnagar district via Shankarpally in Ranga Reddy district.

However, the issue came to light with some residents of Kashipur of Kandi mandal approaching district officials, saying power lines were laid above their sites purchased for constructing houses and it would be impossible for them to construct houses under the power lines. It was estimated that the lines were spread for 365 km in Telangana, adversely impacting about 3,000 farmers.

It was learnt that representatives of power line-laying companies had purchased some house sites at market rate.

Taking a serious note of the issue and the loss incurred by farmers, Andol Krishna, president of the Sarpanchula Ikya Vedika, took up the issue. A conversation with officials made it clear that the compensation paid to farmers was less than that as per the order issued by the Collector.

The order issued by Collector on April 20 states that compensation for land facing highway up to 0.5 km/ near the housing layouts/ industrial areas, commercially developed areas under category I should be ₹3.5 lakh per tower and under category II (the area of damage up to 350 square yards in both categories) should be ₹4.5 lakh per tower.

For interior lands the compensation should be ₹2.45 lakh per tower under category I and ₹3.15 lakh per tower under category II.

On Thursday the Collector ordered mandal revenue officers concerned to check whether proper compensation was being paid to farmers and take necessary action if it was not paid.

“Some farmers were paid as low as ₹30,000 and ₹40,000 whereas they have to be paid minimum of ₹2.45 lakh. This was the case in some villages under Kowdipally in Medak district and surrounding areas,” said Mr. Krishna.