Private land owners run pillar to post for pending payment from a windmill company

Surendranagar: The locals in Piprali village have sought Rs. 1.44 crore compensation for the period of the last 12 years over non-payment of lease money by a private company that operates a windmill over their private land.

According to locals, the government had allotted land for setting up a windmill in the year 2011 in Piprali village. The company however erected windmills not just on the allotted government land but also on private land nearby. When landowners opposed this, the company admitted that it was a mistake. However, the company official argued that relocation of the windmill will be very difficult and attract huge expenditure. The company offered a compromise formula under which it promised Rs. 1 lakh per month to the land owners for twenty year lease period.

According to the land owners Bharat Jivabhai Dhadhal and Gabdhrubhai Jivabhai Dhadhal, 12 years have passed since that day, but the company has not given even a single pie. Dhadhals have approached the court over this matter. They also visited the district collector’s office of Surendranagar and made written representation seeking Rs. 1.44 crore compensation from the company. DeshGujarat