‘Notification to acquire land will be out in April’

Pune: While the locals of Purandhar are waiting to receive communication from government authorities related to land acquisition, District Collector Saurabh Rao said that a notification related to land acquisition will be released in April.

Rao has submitted three models of compensation to the government for approval, which might take some time. He said the compensation models need to be approved from accounts, revenue, law and judiciary departments so that there are fewer problems during actual land acquisition from locals of Purandhar.

He said the first compensation model includes one-time settlement in which cash amount is paid to the locals and the settlement is done then and there. “In the second model, the farmers will be given cash along with 12 per cent developed land along with 1.5 times FSI. The third model includes taking land on long lease from the farmers. In this model, unlike other states, which pay farmers in hectares of land acquired, we pay farmers based on acres of land acquired. We have suggested compensation of Rs 50,000 per acre on an annual basis for rain-fed lands and Rs 1 lakh per acre on annual basis for irrigated land,” added Rao.

However, Purandar farmers who are protesting against the land acquisition model are worried about their source of income. “Our land is irrigated and we earn by selling grapes, pomegranates, figs, custard apples and other agricultural products. Our livelihood will be impacted by the acquisition,” a farmer said.

Rao said Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 3,000 crore will be required for the acquisition. “The government is positive about one-time settlement compensation models for locals of Purandar. The landowners will be given choices and they can choose what they feel is the best for them. The acquisition will start once the State and the landowners reach a common consensus,” he added.

The district administration will be roping in extra manpower for the land acquisition process. The airport will be built on 2,400 hectares of land from seven villages in Purandar.