Farmers elated over hike in farm land compensation

Tirupati: It was celebration time for Settipalli farmers under the limits of the Tirupati Urban here on Friday. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has assured them to give 30 per cent as compensation when the government takes their lands under land pooling.

In Settipalli, 630 acres of land is available. The government intends to make it as economic city by acquiring the land under land pooling mode in which government will take 60 percent of land and 40 percent of land will be given to them as plots.

There are 240 farmers and 3,500 persons purchased plots and enjoying the property. The government has initially proposed to give 16 per cent as compensation to them for which the residents have not agreed. 

Joint Collector PS Girisha, Minister Amaranatha Reddy and TUDA Chairman G Narasimha Yadav held several rounds of discussions with them but no solution has arrived. During a recent meeting with them, District Collector PS Praduymna told them he can get acceptance from government for 21 per cent compensation as a maximum limit.

As the farmers have not agreed for that, he asked them to meet Chief Minister during his visit to district and accordingly they met him at Madanapalle on Friday. They remembered the Chief Minister, who gave an assurance during his padayatra in 2012 that he will do justice to them. He reacted positively and assured farmers of 30 per cent compensation.

Settipalli farmers elated with the Chief Minister’s decision and distributed sweets at the R&B Guest House where they met the Chief Minister. They thanked Naidu for giving a solution to 70-year-old problem and told him that they will be indebted to him. Before leaving the district, Naidu has received representations from people and gave directions to officials.