Villagers seek alternative land

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, MARCH 31 While reiterating their demand for an environmental survery and public hearing, members of the Shamshabad International Airport Land Losers' Welfare Association have demanded equal alternative land to affected pattedars at the same distance from Hyderabad, instead of compensation in cash.

In alternative, the Government could pay compensation at the present market value, which is varying from Rs.15 lakhs to Rs.20 lakhs an acre, for lands under acquisition for the proposed airport, Messrs Narasimha Reddy, president, M. Yadi Reddy, secretary of the association, Haragopal (Central University), Ch. Varaprasada Rao (secretary of Chatri) and Shankar Goud, sarpanch of Mamidipally, told a press conference here on Saturday.

They wanted the Government to pay compensation for the existing structures of about 10,000 people (2,000 families) in 11 villages which are be likely to be acquired for the airport.

The other demands put forth by the association are provision of employment/educational opportunities to all qualified persons who would be affected in the land acquisition, issue of identity cards for free power connection to borewells, residences of the affected people when they purchase property elsewhere in the State, and payment of reasonable compensation to landless people who depend on agriculture in the 11 villages.

Prof.Balagopal said it was the duty of the Government to openly discuss what the people in the 11 villages wanted and offer a fair package. If the package was acceptable the people would agree to give up their land. Otherwise, they would approach court for securing justice and launch a movement opposing the airport.

Mr. Varaprasada Rao of Chatri said no development activity would be fruitful if there was no place for the feelings/sentiments of local people in the scheme of things.

Mr.Yadi Reddy said real estate firms were purchasing non-notified lands near the 5,000 acres likely to be used for the airport at rates ranging from Rs.50 lakhs to Rs.75 lakhs an acre, whereas the Government sought to pay compensation at Rs.40,000 to Rs.70,000 an acre.

The Government, he said, had fixed Rs.45,000 an acre in Manneguda, one of the 11 notified villages, where the land rates had been frozen by the administration. Following uncertainty surrounding the lives of the affected villagers, none was coming forward to give loans to them, he said.

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