Small and marginal farmers in Sangareddy set to lose lands for industrial park

Nearly 145 small and marginal farmers in Cheriyal village of Sangareddy district are set to lose 107 acres for an industrial park. Over 600 trees may be felled. Officials promise compensation and jobs, but villagers allege pressure to part with lands.

Hyderabad: Several small and marginal farmers in Cheriyal village, Kandi mandal of Sangareddy district, are set to lose their lands for the establishment of an industrial park in the region. Apart from land acquisition, many trees are also likely to be felled as part of the establishment of the park.

In addition to the land, borewells and sheds are also set to be acquired. To this effect, the Sangareddy district administration has already issued a declaration. In all, nearly 107 acres in survey number 741 and other survey numbers are being acquired for establishing the park, affecting several small and marginal farmers.

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About 145 farmers are losing lands ranging from half an acre to two acres in the village. Further, over 600 trees, including 373 mango, neem, teak, tamarind, peepul and eucalyptus trees, are likely to be felled as part of the acquisition.

The land is being acquired under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. Revenue officials claimed that farmers were being offered fair compensation for their lands, that there would be no loss to them and that none would be displaced.

The acquired lands will be handed over to the Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited, which in turn would allot them to the proposed industries to be set up in the industrial park, a senior official said.

Regarding the trees to be felled as part of the acquisition, the senior official said compensation would be offered for them as well. However, only fruit-bearing trees approved by the department concerned would be eligible for compensation, the official said.

In case any mines are explored as part of the acquisition, compensation would be offered if they are found to be useful to the government. If not, no compensation would be provided, the official added.

Sources in the village said officials were also assuring jobs and additional compensation to landowners. To take landowners into confidence, one job per family was being offered in the proposed industries, but officials were insisting on acquiring the lands, they said.