138 farmers to get Rs 38 crores

After the death of Dharma Patil, a farmer from Vikharan in Dhule district, the power department has undertaken a review of the land acquired from farmers for the Vikharan power project and the compensation that is to be paid in certain cases.

The power ministry has accordingly decided to compensate 138 farmers after direct negotiations. As per the new rates, the total amount for the affected farmers is likely to be Rs 38 crore. The family of late Dharma Patil is expected to get more than Rs 50 lakh compensation, which was recommended by the Dhule collector.

Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Minister for Power said, a total of 199 hectares of land was acquired for this solar power project at Vikharan in

Sindkhed tehsil of Dhule. The land acquisition was pushed by the Devendra Fadnavis government as it was stalled since 2009.

In 2012, farmers were paid a compensation of Rs 47.60 crore against the acquisition of 476 hectares of land. However, 138 farmers have demanded more compensation for 199 hectares of land that was taken from them.

According to Section 18 of the Land Acquisition Law, farmers have to appeal to the revenue court for demanding higher compensation. However, nobody has filed such an appeal till now.

After the death of Dharma Patil, the government changed its stand and Bawankule was instructed by Fadnavis to review the compensation paid to farmers.

Farmers will get Rs 10 lakh per hectare for barren land, Rs 15 lakh for partially irrigated, and Rs 20 lakh per hectare for fully irrigated land as compensation.