TRS govt faces its first challenge

After having a dream run for over two years, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) government is facing its first major challenge. The Opposition and intellectuals are building public opinion against ‘forcible’ acquisition of land for various irrigation and industrial projects, even as the government has gone on the defensive.

Finding it tough to acquire land with the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, the State had issued orders in the last few months, claiming to offer more compensation than what the 2013 Act requires.

The process of acquisition in at least two projects – Mucherla and Mallannasagar – has met with strong public opposition in the last few weeks. The people moved the High Court and Lok Ayukta seeking justice. In its submission to both authorities, the government stated that GO 123 makes it possible for farmers to ‘willingly sell their land and properties’.

About 15,000 acres of land is being acquired for the pharma city in Muchcharla in Rangareddy district, while 20,000 acres of land faces submergence in Medak under the Kaleswaram project. Fourteen villages face submergen-ce in the reservoir waters, uprooting about 20,000 people.

While blaming the Opposition for instigating villagers and attempting to stall projects, State Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao said the compensation being offered in GO123 is way higher than what they would get in the 2013 Act.

Left parties have contested this claim, saying the 2013 Act called for revision of market value of the land before acquisition. “We are not opposing the projects. We only want the government to follow the Act for payment of compensation. The Lok Ayukta has directed the officials to invoke provisions of the 2013 Act,” CPI leader Pasya Padma told BusinessLine on Wednesday.

The CPI-affiliated Rythu Sangam had moved the High Court in March against the new GO issued for acquisition of land for projects. “We got the Lok Ayukta order a week ago and we will consider moving it [the Lok Ayukta] again if the government fails to respond,” she said.

The Telangana Joint Action Committee, which played a crucial role in the agitation for separate Statehood, has called for a redesign of the project to minimise losses.

“We are not against the projects but farmers must get a fair compensation. The government is not ready with the Detailed Project Report for the project, but is pushing for land acquisition. It must reduce the capacity to 25 tmc from the planned 50 tmc,” said TJAC Chair M Kodandaram said.

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