Ring road project: Farmers want their demand fulfilled

JAIPUR: Taking land for the ring road project from the farmers is not easy for the Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) as negotiations for a particular demand are on.
Lok Nath Soni, JDA secretary, said, "The farmers want that the new land given to them in return should be lease-free. However, JDA does not have the authority to decide on this. It will be done by the state government".
An official said the decision can only be taken by the urban development department. Since, the minister and principal secretary, Shanti Dhariwal and G S Sandhu, respectively, are on a China tour, the meeting will be held next month. He added that other demands are been fulfilled.
Badri Prasad, president, farmer committee, ring road said, "Till date the government has fulfilled every demand. We are hopeful that this demand will also be accepted."
The farmers' demand of not charging any money from them if they sub-divide or join the plots on the development road has been accepted. JDA has also accepted the farmers' demand to pay compensation for their tubewells and wells on their land.
The farmers also want a second survey for their acquired houses, as in the previous survey their houses were under-valued. An official said, "JDA has started the survey and will soon get the new records."
The JDA has issued a letter of award to Sanjosh Supreme Company and the project is expected to begin on July 28. JDA has acquired 1,620 hectares for the 47 km project and 1,300 farmers have already been issued letters.
However, department sources said that the authority has not taken possession of any land because of the additional demands. The farmers are adamant on not giving their land if all their demands are not met. Last month, a camp organised by the JDA to issue reservation letter too turned to be failure as only a few farmers turned up.