Farakka barrage authorities yet

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Jan. 18: The state government had acquired farmland two decades ago, but the farmers are still waiting for compensation, thanks to the Farakka Barrage Project (FBP) authorities. The estimated value of the lands acquired is nearly 60 lakh, but the FBP officials had given more than 25 lakh to the district land acquisition department as part of the compensation package. The Malda district administration had written two letters to the FBP authorities to make the full payment to compensate the farmers, but nothing has been done till date. Yesterday hundreds of farmers blocked the National Highway-34 near the Farakka barrage under the Baishanabnagar police station area demanding compensation. They also demanded that the government should return the lands to them. “How could we compensate the land owners? We need at least Rs 60 lakh, but the FBP has given us Rs 25 to 30 lakh phase-wise. We had written letters to the FBP authorities for full payment but they did not respond," said Mr CR Das, the Malda district magistrate. The district magistrate has admitted that a section of the people have already grabbed the lands, which are not being used at present and the real lands owners are suffering. The BJP leaders, who led the villagers claimed that the block development officer would inform the district magistrate and the local administration would hold an all political party meeting on 25 January to resolve the problem. The district magistrate said that he was waiting for the report made by the Baishnabnagar block development officer.