Gujarat moves to break ice with farmers over Mandal SIR

To meet farmers of the region tomorrow to discuss and explain the development plan chalked out for the area

As the state government steps in to break ice with protesting farmers in Mandal-Becharaji region, a senior government official is scheduled to meet the farmers of the region tomorrow to discuss and explain the development plan chalked out for the area.

Pankaj Patel, chief executive officer (in charge) of Mandal-Becharaji Special Invesment Region (SIR) is scheduled to meet farmers from the villages in the region tomorrow morning. Confirming the development he said, "Yes, we are meeting the farmers in the region in any of the villages of the taluka tomorrow. The location is yet to be decided, but it is likely to be Vithalapur. We plan to discuss the details of the development plan with them and also explain it in details."

He further added that it is a routine process for government officials to visit all the villages where an SIR is planned and explain the development plan with them in details and also take their feedback.

Interestingly, the farmers from 44 villages who were protesting against the upcoming SIR planned in the Mandal-Becharaji region, have dropped their earlier plan to visit Gandhinagar to stage a protest in front of Udyog Bhavan that houses several important industry department offices.

A farmer from the area said, "If the government is willing to come forward to talk, there is no point to take out an agitation to Gandhinagar." Farmers were protesting the proposed SIR claiming that it would have an adverse impact on the agriculture, animal husbandry and fodder. Patel explained, "Farmers are fearing that there would be a lot of land acquisition in the region if the SIR is developed. However, land is only taken for the purposes for road construction and any such common facilities. Also, the owner is then returned his land (which now has appreciated value) at a proportionate basis in the survey number where he originally owned the plot." He further added that if anyone wants to continue with agriculture, there is no opposition to that.

Ajmal Thakore, the village sarpanch of Hansalpur, where the Maruti Suzuki plant is coming up, said, "The Mandal Becharaji SIR authority has opened an office at Vithalpur (the site where Maruti has acquired additional land for future expansion). But, we are looking forward to meeting the senior official who will be visiting us tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Patel also claimed that ever since the farmers have been informed about the SIR notification, only one official objection has been registered against it. "We will take into consideration any legal suggestion that comes up, and we wish to involve the stakeholders in the process of development," said Patel.