SSNL pay 80% frontal price to farmers on land acquisition

Sardar Sarovar Nigam Limited’s new initiative to acquire farmers land for building further canal network in Gujarat is unique for its policy of payment.

Adopting a new policy for faster and smoother land acquisition, the SSNL gives 80% price of acquired land on the spot to farmers. According to official release, the farmers are being paid 30% more above Jantry price for their land.

Last week, state Revenue minister visited Ahmedabad district’s Gunjar and Vagad villages near Dhandhuka and distributed cheques to 65 farmers who were ready to give their land for construction of canal network.

Revenue Minister Anandiben Patel is visiting different districts for faster land acquisition. Yesterday she visited Bhavnagar and held a meeting of district officials, Sarpanchs, farmers and village leaders. Among others, the minister praised local Bar association for its cooperation.

Sardar Sarovar Nigam’s administrative officer Jagdishan said, the government will not give more than 18 months time to contractors for completion of canal network construction works. All tender procedures will be completed by October 10th and the construction work will be kicked off from November 10th.

The government will have to acquire 763.652 hector land of 54 villages for Valabhipur-Botad-Limbdi branch canal, 294.9221 hector land of 19 villages for Botad-Limbdi branch canal, 159.66 hector land of 8 villages for Valabhipur-Limbdi branch canal and 73.1506 hector land of four villages for Gadhada-Botad branch canal.

This canal network will provide irrigation to 36708 hector land of 52 villages in Valabhipur taluka, 8821 hector land of 12 villages in Bhavnagar taluka, 12399 hector land of 18 villages in Botad taluka, 2769 hector land of five villages in Gadhada taluka, 4595 hector land of 12 villages in Umarala taluka, thus 65292 hector land of 99 villages.

At present, Rs 43.82 crore works of branch canal is in progress. Rs 64.45 crore works are under tender process. Tenders will be issues for Rs 194.45 crore works in near future. In Bhavnagar district, 84.32 km works of branch canal are over.

Similar activities are going on in other districts too.