Anna Hazare’s nationwide ‘Janatantra Yatra’ received lukewarm public response in Greater Noida on Friday. Fewer people turned up at the public meeting where Hazare slammed the Uttar Pradesh Government for ignoring the farmers of the Western UP.
Addressing protesting farmers in the region, he demanded that the 10 per cent of land, developed by the Greater Noida Authority, must be given to the farmers as they are the actual owner of the land. Hazare also asked the Government to release remaining 64 per cent compensations to farmers and abolition of land chakbandi imposed by the Greater Noida Authority. Former Army Chief General VK Singh was also present with him.
Addressing the rally, Hazare also said that the farmers of the region are living in adverse atmosphere while the concerned authorities have no time to take care of them as they have forgotten their responsibility. “UP Government should abolish the existing land acquisition rule and adequate compensation should be given to the farmers. The authorities should make a proper mechanism so the farmers could not be forced to sell their land,” said Hazare.
As the land is the main source of farmer’s livelihood, the Government should not make policies to acquire it from the farmers on the name of developing the region. The Greater Noida Authority should at least bother about those people whose residential units have been declared illegal under the Chakbandi rule. Houses of nearly 30 per cent villagers have come under it that is totally unjustified and unaccepted, added Hazare.
Farmers of 70 villages in Greater Noida, in a mahapanchayat held under the banner of ‘Kisan Sangharsh Samiti’ on Monday on their 21st day of protest, have now chalked out a plan to hold a massive protest in lucknow in coming days. Farmers have been protesting for the last 25 days outside the Greater Noida Authority office.