Chintalapudi Lift Irrigation Scheme victims seek 30 lakh relief per acre

Kamavarapukota: The farmers of Chintalapudi Lift Irrigation Scheme (CLIS) resorted to rasta roko on Friday at the check-post centre in Kamavarapukota demanding that the government pay compensation of Rs 30 lakh per acre to the displaced farmers of CLIS.

The farmers reached the check-post centre at Kamavarapukota village led by CLIS Victim Farmers’ Agitation Committee and resorted to a road blockade. Following the rasta roko, traffic between Eluru and Jangareddigudem was halted for more than an hour.

CLIS Displaced Farmers’ Agitation Committee president Alavala Khadar Babu Reddy, AP Rythu Sangham state leader K Srinivas, AP Koulu Rythu Sangham district general secretary Donta Krishna criticised the government attitude towards the CLIS farmers. Though the farmers are agitating for over two years seeking fair compensation, the government is least bothered about their problem, they alleged.

The victims demanded the compensation under the Land Acquisition (Amendment) Act, 2013. They alleged that the police are registering cases against the victims while the officials started digging up of canals.

They demanded that the government first supply water to upland area of West Godavari district. They appealed to the government to complete the phase-1 works on priority. T V S Raju, Y Rafayil (CPI), M Jeevaratnam (CPM), CLIS committee leaders Ravi Ranga Rao, Ghanta Suresh, Venkatrao, Tummuri Srinivasareddy and Pasumarthy Pardhasaradhi led the agitation.