Farmers on a shopping spree

In Kukkunuru mandal, 110 two-wheelers are brought during the past one week. The sales are mainly reported from Kukkunuru, Aswaraopeta, Bhadrachalam and Kothagudem. At least 30 two-wheelers are brought in Cheeravalli and Madhavaram panchayats alone. Two two-wheeler showrooms have sprung up in Kukkunuru during the past one week. The people are not hesitating to spend Rs 1.60 lakh to buy the latest motorcycles

Kukkunuru (West Godavari): There is a feverish activity in Kukkunuru mandal of West Godavari district for the past one week, with many automobile giants opening their ad hoc show-rooms as farmers of the mandal are laughing all the way to banks. Thanks to compensation credited to their bank accounts in lieu of lands alienated for the Polavaram project.

Automobile companies set up ad hoc stores in Kakunuru

The wealthy farmers who got compensation more Rs 1 crore are inclined to buy top-end cars each costing between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 15 lakh. The demand from farmers is more for buying cars that cost Rs 5 lakh and below. Automobile companies and those of tractors are seen displaying their vehicles and distributing brochures among farmers.

Farmers, who have hesitated to spend Rs 100 till yesterday are not hesitating to spend freely. Affluent farmers have purchased 20-inch TV sets spending a lakh or two, while a farmer replaced his old air-conditioner with the new one spending at least Rs 50,000. Many farmers are seen dislodging their old electronic goods to acquire new ones.

In Kukkunuru mandal, 110 two-wheelers were brought during the past one week. The sales are mainly reported from Kukkunuru, Aswaraopeta, Bhadrachalam and Kothagudem. At least 30 two-wheelers were brought in Cheeravalli and Madhavaram panchayats alone. Two two-wheeler show rooms sprang up in Kukkunuru during the past one week. The people are not hesitating to spend Rs 1.60 lakh to buy the latest motorcycles.

Some families were seen buying the electronic goods like TVs, refrigerators, coolers and other equipment from hadrachalam. Show rooms in the temple town are making a brisk business. Women are seen rushing to jewellery shops to buy gold.
Farmers were seen eagerly discussing how much they have received towards compensation.

Many farmers have fertile lands but had never seen so much money in their lives. With the government crediting the compensation in their bank accounts, the farmers are not hesitating to spend lavishly and fulfill their family responsibilities with the new found riches.

While the alcohol addicts are spending more on their addiction, the others were seen withdrawing money from banks and making online transfer of funds. Serpentine queues are seen in front of banks, especially the Andhra Bank branch here.
Meanwhile, the land acquisition officer Manmohan said the acquisition came to the final phase with the disbursement of compensation.

The process was started in July last year to acquire 11,000 acres for the Polavaram project. The farmers have been eagerly awaiting the compensation since December last as the land acquisition process has been completed. On account of the untiring efforts of Manmohan, the compensation is credited direct into bank accounts of farmers from the Pay and Accounts office, Eluru.

Of the total Rs 1270 crore compensation, Rs 750 crore has already been credited into the accounts of the farmers.
Farmers in Tondipaka-2, Mittagudem, Komatlagudem, Amaravaram-1, Damaracharla, Cheeravalli, Koundinyamukti and Maredubaka villages received the compensation on Thursday.

The compensation paid per acre was Rs 10.96 lakh per acre as against the Rs 10.30 lakh announced earlier. The compensation also included the interest accrued. Also, compensation was paid to pipelines and trees in the lands. Payment of compensation in respect of the lands under litigation and family disputes has been suspended.

By PV Satyanarayana