Noida farmers protest for revised circle rates, abadi plots
Noida: A group of more than 100 farmers gathered in protest outside the Greater Noida collectorate on Wednesday. The farmers, under the banner of Kisan Sangharsh Morcha, demanded the immediate implementation of recommendations by the high-power committee formed following similar protests last year.
Other demands raised at the protest included allocation of 10% abadi plots, revision of circle rates pending for 11 years, proper settlement of rural colonies, resolution of issues faced by NTPC-affected families, and allotment of vending zone shops to landless families. Farmers also accused the administration of delaying action despite concrete suggestions submitted by the state-appointed committee over nine months ago.
In Feb 2024, a high-power committee constituted by the UP govt, was tasked with reviewing long-pending demands related to land compensation and rehabilitation, in response to sustained farmer protests. Headed by Revenue Board chairman Rajneesh Dube and comprising senior officials including the Meerut divisional commissioner and the Noida district magistrate, the committee submitted its report in Aug 2024.
The committee's key recommendations included conducting satellite and physical surveys of rural settlements, demarcating abadi land boundaries, resolving compensation delays, separating encroachment cases from plot allotment, completing pending leaseback processes, prioritising landless families in vending zone allocations, and initiating skill development programmes for youth from farming families.
However, the committee rejected certain farmer demands, such as increasing the abadi plot quota to 10% and allowing commercial use of residential plots, citing legal constraints.
"The high-power committee submitted its report on Aug 27, 2024. It contains clear and practical solutions to long-standing farmer issues. Why is the administration sitting on it for so long?" questioned Dr Rupesh Verma, district president of All India Kisan Sabha.
"We were patient, but now the movement will only grow stronger until each point in that report is acted upon."
Farmer leaders also alleged a lack of sincerity in the administration's approach.
"They make promises in meetings, but nothing happens on the ground. The authorities are more concerned about investors than the farmers whose land built these cities," said Verma.
Meanwhile, district magistrate Manish Kumar Verma told TOI, "We assured the farmers that the recommendations of the high-power committee will be implemented at the earliest.
Such policy-level implementation often takes time at state govt level. The process of revising circle rates is already underway."
On the issue of 10% abadi plots, the DM said that the committee found the request legally unviable. "We will still examine it further, but the panel's recommendation did not support it," he added.
Farmers said that they will soon announce the next phase of their protests if there is no progress.
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