Morbi Farmers to March Against New Compensation Rules for Adani Power Line
Farmers in Morbi have announced a padyatra on July 14 as part of their ongoing protest against the installation of a 756 kV transmission line by Halvad Transmission Limited, a special purpose vehicle of Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. The line will run from Khavda in Kutch to Halvad in Morbi, covering 246 km.
The 3.5 km foot march will start from Mahendranagar Chokdi at 9 am and conclude at the Collector's office in Morbi. Participants from across Gujarat are expected to join.
Vaibhav Amrutiya, a protesting farmer from Jetpar village, said: 'We will hold the padyatra against the state government’s latest resolution which is anti-farmers and a strategy to divide the farmers.' The farmers plan to submit a representation to the Morbi Collector, objecting to the Government Resolution (GR) issued on July 4.
The GR has replaced all earlier resolutions regarding compensation for damage to land and crops during the laying of transmission lines and towers. Farmers demand clarity on these guidelines. The protest has been ongoing in stages: a symbolic fast from June 7, an indefinite hunger strike from June 17, and now a 'satyagrah' (non-violent protest) to be launched in a planned manner.
Farmers oppose the lottery system introduced by the government to determine the market price of land for compensation. Amrutiya explained: 'A farmer can never be benefitted from a lottery system. Also, when the compensation for the tower has been revised, why not the Right of Way for the cables, which remains at 30, 45, and 60 per cent? In this case, a farmer whose land is used for laying cables will be at a major loss.'
Discussions with farmers from village to state levels have begun to formalise demands. On July 9, farmers and sarpanches from 12 districts, including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara, met at Jetpar village to decide future action. Farmers' committees will be formed at district, taluka, and gram panchayat levels.
The farmers warned that if adequate compensation is not provided, they may vote against the BJP in upcoming elections.
What the GR says: The resolution, issued by the Energy and Petroleum Department on July 4, states that the final market price will be determined by the Market Rate Committee (MRC) based on a 'reference market rate' and a 'lottery system'. Three land valuers empanelled by the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India will be appointed. Evaluators must submit reports in sealed covers to the District Collector within 21 days. After receiving three reports (from landowner's representative, transmission service provider, and District Collector), two will be selected through a lottery and opened by the Collector.
