New Delhi: Amid ongoing protest by farmers in Noida, CM Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government has announced to form a five-member panel to address the concerns of the agitating farmers and submit its reports within 30 days.
The committee has been asked to examine the complaints raised by farmers regarding land acquisition and compensation disputes.
The panel will also review and probe issues highlighted in earlier government orders dated February 21, 2024, and August 27, 2024. The panel is expected to conduct hearings with stakeholders, verify prior decisions, and prepare a roadmap for resolving the protesters’ concerns.
The committee includes the Special Secretary (Revenue), the Additional Chief Executive Officer of Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), the Deputy Secretary (Industrial Development), a representative from the district administration of the affected area, and a local authority representative.
Why are farmers protesting in Noida?
The SKM claimed that CM Yogi Adityanath-led UP government has failed to ensure justice to farmers.
“The circle rate of land has not been revised since 2017. Farmers in UP have been denied adequate, lawful compensation and benefits assured by the LARR Act 2013, including employment, resettlement and rehabilitation,” they said.
Main demand of the farmers is related to the land acquisition by the state government in the region between 1997 and 2008.
Farmers are demanding that 10% of the land taken over for developing residential and commercial areas be developed as plots for the families who were its original owners.
The protesting farmers also said they want a 64.7% increase in compensation rate owing to increased inflation, arguing that the old acquisition rate is four times lower than the current market rate. Other demands of the farmers include implementing new legal benefits for the children and families of those displaced in schools and colleges in Gautam Buddh Nagar.
SKM condemns arrest of protesting farmers
The SKM condemned the UP government for the arrest of farmers at the Dalit Prerana Sthal on the Noida-Delhi Highway. The SKM said police have arrested hundreds of farmers, including over hundred women, and forcefully evicted them from the protest site.
“This is a violation of the constitutional right to peaceful protest and the SKM urges the judiciary to intervene and protect the fundamental rights. The SKM reminds the CM of Uttar Pradesh that using police force cannot resolve the burning issues of the people who have lost their valuable land and livelihood for a pittance,” read the statement from the SKM.
They also accused police of violating the consensus reached with the farmers’ leadership on December 2, asking for seven days for the chief secretary to discuss with the farmers’ leadership and resolve the demands.
