Yamuna expressway farmers to get 7% developed plots

Following months of farmers' unrest, the Yamuna Expressway Authority has finally agreed to increase the share of developed plots allotted to farmers in lieu of their total land acquired for development and construction purposes. While the farmers had been demanding that they be allotted developed plots 10% of their total land acquired instead of the 5% the Authority had planned on allotting, officials have finally reached on an agreement and decided to give them 7% developed plots.

The decision was approved by the Authority Board in its recent meeting. The Authority has already begun the process of identifying suitable land for the purpose and a meeting of senior officials was held on Wednesday in this regard.

It needs to allot the developed plots to around 4,500 farmers from whom a total of 1,600 hectares of land was acquired for the construction of the Yamuna Expressway and for development work in surrounding areas.

The farmers in the area had been agitating for several months now, demanding that they be paid compensation and rehabilitation benefits in lieu of their land at par with Noida and Greater Noida farmers. Last month, the farmers' body Bharatiya Kisan Union had gheroaed YEIDA offices and locked out officials demanding parity.

The Authority has also decided to launch a scheme for 2,000 industrial plots develop traditional industrial clusters in the area. It has already begun the process of identifying land for the scheme that is likely to be launched on January 26 this year. The size of the plots available through the scheme will range between 400 sqm and 1,000 sqm and the allotment will be made through a draw of lots.

Earlier, in 2009, the Yamuna Expressway Authority had launched a scheme for 21,000 large industrial plots in Sectors 18 and 21. However, it is for the first time that the Authority is launching a scheme for smaller plots that will be allotted throw a draw of lots.

"While the area has seen much residential and commercial development in recent years, the Authority has not been able to launch many schemes for industrial development. Since the board recently approved that smaller plots be allotted through a draw instead of the current system of an interview process to encourage greater industrial activity in the area, and the farmers have also been demanding that more industries be set up in the area, we decided to launch a scheme immediately," said an Authority official.

Source (The Times of India, 19 Jan 2013) : "Yamuna expressway farmers to get 7% developed plots."