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The stand-off between farmers in Bhavnagar district and the State-run power producer Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd (GPCL) over land acquisition is threatening to snowball.
Farmers of about a dozen villages in Ghogha taluka of Bhavnagar district are on a hunger strike from Monday against GPCL’s move to take possession of their land for mining lignite, the fuel for its 500 MW thermal power plant.
Sterlite inspiration
What has provided an impetus to a silent movement, which was launched in December 2017, is the outcome of the agitation against the Sterlite plant in Tamil Nadu.
The Tamil Nadu government has ordered closure of the plant after 13 people lost their lives after an agitation turned violent. Kanaksinh Gohil, a farmer, said: "We don't want to resort to violence. Our motive is to make the government and the company listen to our demands and resolve the issue amicably. But the government is forcing our hand by not allowing us to hold dharnas and rallies or take out processions peacefully. So we’ve launched the indefinite hunger strike. About 50 people from these 12 villages sit on hunger strike at Badi village every day.”
Taking possession
The farmers are protesting against the company taking physical possession of the land that was acquired by GPCL in 1993-94 for setting up a thermal plant and to mine for lignite.
Citing the Land Acquisition Act of 2013, Sagar Rabari, a farmers’ leader, said that in case the acquired land is not taken possession of in five years, it has to be returned to the owners and the acquisition has to be considered afresh. “The government will have to pay the compensation as demanded. There is enough evidence that the land is being used for farming and is the source of livelihood for farmers. This makes a favourable case for farmers,” Rabari said.
The State government is facing a Catch-22 situation. On one hand, the company's project cost has escalated to ₹5,000 crore from ₹3,500 crore, besides it losing ₹4 crore daily on account of non-supply of lignite and delayed commissioning of the project. On the other, it is facing the farmers’ ire for not considering higher compensation.
“The land owners were already paid 3-4 times the prevailing rate, in addition to a rehabilitation package during 1997-2005. As a company, we feel, we have already paid what was due to them,” said a senior official of GPCL.
“A decision is awaited on the interpretation of Section 24(2) of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013. The court hearing is scheduled for next month and we are waiting for a favourable outcome,” said the official.
Work on mining began on April 1 and lignite will be available by July 15. GCPL requires 4 million tonnes of lignite for the 500 MW power plant.
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