Government Assures Fair Compensation for Farmers Ahead of SIPCOT Expansion
Minister for Public Works and Sports Development Aadhav Arjuna has assured that a fact-finding team will assess ground realities to acquire land for the proposed phase-3 expansion of the SIPCOT complex near Cheyyar town in Tiruvannamalai.
Key Points:
- A fact-finding team led by the District Collector will assess ground realities and submit a report to the State government.
- Rights and livelihood of farmers will be protected.
- The State government will consider withdrawing cases against farmers protesting the project.
- Compensation for acquired land will be â‚ą18 lakh per acre, with separate compensation for assets like trees, farm wells, and buildings.
Addressing a consultative meeting with stakeholders, including farmers, environmental activists, elected representatives, and residents at Melma village, Mr. Arjuna emphasized the need for coexistence of industrial development and agricultural activities.
“The State government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay will take a sympathetic view on cases registered against protesting farmers on the project. Necessary land will be acquired for the project without affecting the livelihood of farmers in the region,” he said.
Farmers have requested that over 1,000 acres of land acquired for Phase-I and II of the SIPCOT project be utilized for its Phase-III expansion, rather than acquiring cultivable lands in the region.
According to the plan, 3,174 acres of land will be acquired from nine farming villages for the phase-3 project, which began over a decade ago, in Anakavoor panchayat union near Cheyyar town.
Revenue officials have confirmed that the State government has fixed â‚ą18 lakh per acre of land as compensation, with separate compensation for assets like trees, farm wells, and buildings on acquired land to be added to the total compensation for beneficiaries.
Quotes:
“The fact-finding team will study the ground realities related to the project and submit its report to the State government. Rights and livelihood of farmers will always be protected,” – Minister Aadhav Arjuna
Related:
- SIPCOT Expansion: A Detailed Overview
- Tiruvannamalai: A Hub for Industrial Development
- Farmer-Led Development: A New Era for Agriculture