Pharma City farmers stage dharna, demand repeal of G.O.Ms. 31

Farmers under the banner of Pharma City Vyathireka Porata Samithi staged a dharna in Hyderabad demanding repeal of G.O.Ms. 31 and withdrawal of projects involving large-scale acquisition of fertile lands.

Hyderabad: Accusing the Congress government of adopting double standards on the proposed Pharma City project and failing to honour promises made in its election manifesto, farmers opposing the acquisition of fertile agricultural lands demanded the repeal of GOMs 31.

They also urged the State government to withdraw the Future City, Greenfield Expressway and other projects that involve large-scale acquisition of fertile agricultural lands.

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Under the banner of the Pharma City Vyathireka Porata Samithi, farmers and agricultural labourers from Yacharam, Kandukur and other parts of Rangareddy district staged a dharna at Indira Park here on Saturday. The protesters alleged that despite stay orders issued by the High Court on land acquisition, the government was proceeding with acquisition and executing project-related works.

Samithi convenor Saraswathi Kavula recalled that ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections, Congress leaders had extended support to the agitation and promised to scrap the Pharma City project. The assurance was also incorporated in the party’s Abhaya Hastham manifesto, she said.

According to Saraswathi, Congress leaders had also promised to protect farmers’ lands and grant permanent ownership rights. However, farmers in Kurmidda village were now being pressured to part with their lands for the proposed Greenfield Expressway project, she alleged.

The farmers displayed flex banners carrying photographs of Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Rythu Commission Chairman M Kodanda Reddy, Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister D Seethakka and Roads & Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy. The banners read: “While in opposition, Congress leaders promised to protect our lands and opposed the Pharma City project. Now, they are untraceable despite our best efforts.”

The farmers alleged that despite continuing a relay hunger strike for the past 60 days, the government had ignored their concerns.

Telangana People’s Joint Action Committee leader Kanneganti Ravi alleged that tenders had been floated and contracts awarded to Raghava Constructions and L&T despite the court’s stay orders.

“Two to three police contingents are being deployed in villages. Farmers are being threatened with dire consequences and their lands are being forcibly acquired,” Ravi alleged.

Interestingly, Congress ally and TJS president Prof. M Kodandaram also participated in the protest. Expressing solidarity with the farmers, he assured them that he would raise the issue with the State government and visit the affected villages to extend support.

The farmers demanded that land records and ownership details that had allegedly been deleted from online databases be restored and ownership certificates issued as promised by the government.

They also sought compensation in accordance with the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, along with allocation of 120 square yards of housing land for every acre acquired. Compensation and rehabilitation measures should also be extended to agricultural labourers affected by the projects, they demanded.