Tribal farmers turn into daily labourers no compensation for land acquired

Kakinada: The tribal farmers of Angaluru village in Devipatnam mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju district are left high and dry without any compensation for the lands the government acquired to set up a power plant near the Polavaram Irrigation Project.

The construction of the power plant is under way, but the farmers are on a long wait for compensation either in cash mode or a land-for land deal. They have been frequenting government offices and people’s representatives to get compensation for more than a decade.

The farmers allege that they were subjected to injustice in the matter of providing them the R&R packages also.

The government issued the land acquisition notification in 2008 and acquired 44 acres of land from 38 farmers to construct the power plant and for other works relating to the Polavaram project. The land was taken over by the government in 2012 without paying compensation to the land.

Kosu Savitri of Angaluru village told the Deccan Chronicle that the tribal farmers used to cultivate paddy and maize and lived a dignified life. “We were farmers. But now, we work as daily agricultural labourers. Some of us are going for work to other places,” she said.

She said the tribal farmers can’t afford to go to other places for work as migrant labour. “If we go, the officials would delete our names from the compensation list.”

“If we are living here, there is no work for us. These farmers are going to do agriculture work on a daily wage to nearby places, say within 25 to 50-km distance from their village, every morning and return home by evening,’’ said Savitri.

She said 18-year old girls have not been given compensation in the R & R package. The officials are not responding to our requests.”

Tribal woman, Valala Posamma, said she and her family members lost 10 acres of land for the power project. But, no compensation came their way. “It is a difficult time for us. Five to 7 persons are living in each home and we are not even getting NREGS works to do.”

Social worker and Jateeya Polavaram Project Nirvasithula Pariraramskshana Seva Samithi honorary president Pasala Venkatakrishna said that these tribal farmers were facing grave injustice. “After the initiation of the Polavaram irrigation project, their lives were ruined.”

He said that 80 per cent of tribal farmers and 20 per cent of non-tribal farmers have sacrificed their lands, houses, culture and sentiments, they lost their bond with the forests, but the governments are not helping them.

He said that the land acquisition officers pocketed over '6crore with fake pattas and did injustice to the real farmers of China Ramanayyapeta and Koyila Veeravaram villages. Though he had submitted several representations to officials, these did not help in any way. “We are not even given information through RTI.”

He also alleged that there were irregularities at Ravulapalem and over Rs. 2crore has been misappropriated. “The amount could not be recovered from the officials. The government did not pay compensation to Anguluru farmers. More than 100 families of Talluru village of Kondamodalu Panchayat in Devipatnam mandal have been waiting for their compensation,” he said.

“These people are not leaving their village, though they are facing floods. They made it clear to the officials that unless they got the compensation, they would not vacate the villages. When the Godavari gets flooded, the people of the village are voluntarily shifting themselves to safer places or hillock areas. After the floodwaters recede, they return to their village. For the past four years, they have been continuing their agitation for compensation,” he added.

Krishna Rao alleged that the government was not taking care of the Polavaram project victims at Velerupadu, VR Puram, Kunavaram Chinturu etc. He requested chief minister Jagan Reddy to pay attention to these issues.

Valala Nagamma of Angaluru village said that the government had not agreed to give the R&R package to even the girls who are 18-years old. The R&R package compensation was very meagre, '3.40 lakh per family. She requested the government to do justice to them.