Farmers Petition for Increased Compensation in Ramanathapuram
More than a hundred farmers submitted a petition to the Ramanathapuram District Collector Simranjeet Singh Kahlon, demanding four times the compensation for land acquisition for the Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram four-lane road.
Background of the Protests
Affected farmers and the public have been conducting various stages of protests for the past few months, demanding that proper compensation be provided for the houses, buildings, and lands acquired for the Paramakudi-Ramanathapuram four-lane road.
Meetings Between Officials and Farmers
- The District Revenue Officer (National Highways Land Acquisition) and Revenue Department officials invited the farmers and the public for talks.
- Meanwhile, as the four-lane road work has been fast-tracked and authorities are arriving to demolish buildings, more than 100 farmers gathered at the Collector’s office and submitted a petition demanding that action to demolish should only be taken after providing proper compensation.
Demands of the Farmers
- According to the 2013 Land Rights Act, compensation for all those losing land, houses, and property should be provided at four times the highest valuation rate applicable to each revenue village.
- ₹50 lakh should be provided for concrete buildings to those who lost their homes, along with fair compensation based on quality and the provision of housing plots.
Response from the Collector
General Secretary of the Cauvery-Vaigai-Kiruthumal-Gundar Link Canal Irrigation Farmers’ Federation M. Arjunan stated that if the Collector does not take appropriate action, a protest would be held at the Chennai Secretariat on June 10.
Mr. Simranjeet Singh Kahlon assured the farmers that an appropriate action would be taken within 15 days.
Action to be Taken: The Collector has assured that an appropriate action will be taken within 15 days to address the demands of the farmers.