Farmers till land acquired for nuclear plant

CHANDIGARH: Farmers of Gorakhpur, Fatehabad have cultivated land acquired for the nuclear plant project. With elections due in October, they are confident no one will object. Even though villagers' land has been acquired for the country's largest 2,800 Mega Watt (MW) nuclear power station, residents planted crops on 500 of the 1,300 acres of land acquired.
Villagers lost ownership right of the land almost two years ago, after they received around Rs 34 lakh compensation per acre. An official of the agriculture department confirmed that villagers in Gorakhpur are tilling fields and have planted Guar and Bajra (pearl millet) in around 500 acres, including the place inside the fenced area. "Although the administration disconnected power supply for irrigation, these crops do not require much water for growth," the official said.
However, despite destruction of crops sown by some villagers by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), farmers still hope to get one more crop. "The government has not started construction activity. What is wrong if we take one crop?" asked Mahender Singh of Gorakhpur.
Ram Chander, 39, who received compensation for two acres of land in August, 2012 and invested the amount to purchase land in the adjoining Sirsa, said, "For the past two years, we are peacefully sowing the land because there is no point of leaving such fertile land unused till the NPCIL starts construction."
Some local officials said the state assembly elections are expected in September and the state government will not confront farmers at this time, which is why farmers have taken the chance of sowing one more crop.
Villagers pin hopes on BJP
Farmers are looking forward to the BJP getting the plant shifted to some other area, which could result in them getting their land back. They also received a shot in the arm on Friday, when BJP national executive member and head of the BJP's state election committee, Manohar Lal Khattar visited the village and assured them of taking up the matter with the Centre.
Narinder Siwach, who invited Khattar, said they plan to invite former Army chief and minister in NDA government, General VK Singh. He visited Gorakhpu in June, 2013 and promised to help villagers shift the plant.