Ring road: Farmers make fresh demands

JAIPUR: The tall claims by Jaipur Development Authority to complete the ring road project in two years may fall flat as the demands of farmers for compensation are still pending with the government.
The JDA has issued a letter of award to Sanjosh Supreme Company and the project is expected to begin on July 18. However, the acquisition of land from farmers remains a major issue.The JDA has acquired 1,620 hectares for the 47 km project and 1,300 farmers have already been issued letters. However, sources in the department said the authority have not taken possession of any land as the farmers have raised some additional demands and are adamant on not giving possession of land without fulfilling their demands.
Last month, a camp organized by the JDA to issue reservation letter too turned to be failure as only few farmers turned up to collect the letters. Badri Prasad, president, farmer committee, ring road said, "We are hopeful that the government will agree to our demands. However, we will not give possession till each of our demands are duly fulfilled."
"The farmers can be unreasonable with their demands in the end. They have also turned smart and are making some demands intentionally not to give possession of their land," said an official.
The farmers are now demanding that the new land given to them in return to their land should be lease-free. Also, farmers should not be charged with any money if they sub -divide or join the plots on the development road provided by the government. They have also sought compensation for the tubewells and wells on their land.
The one-km patch in Bagrana on Agra Road where JDA has to take possession of the land from housing colonies can also create problem to the authority.
"The JDA has not made any policy for the rehabilitation of these housing schemes till date. There is a delay as JDA has to be very careful and planning to prove a good deal," he said.
"We will soon hold a meeting with the farmers and all the justified demands will be solved amicably," JDA secretary Loknath Soni said.