ARAKAVATHI LAY-OUT: COMPENSATE THE FARMERS ADEQUATELY

The farmers/erstwhile marginal land owners of the above lay-out are agitating for better compensation. The Metropolitan Housing Cooperative Society was allotted the land in question by BDA two years ago, for constructing housing complexes for the IAS and IPS officers. The compensation received by farmers was meager compared to the prevailing market price. Hence, their demand for additional compensation is justified. The chair person of the above society says that the society cannot award compensation to the land owners since it is the responsibility of the BDA. It is true that BDA is the nodal agency and the dispute is between BDA and farmers, but nothing prohibits the society in paying the compensation to poor farmers on humanitarian grounds. One should have heart to tackle this kind of problems. The society and the government should view the matter realistically and pay the additional compensation without any delay.