Purandar airport land compensation: night payout claims denied by acquisition officer

Land acquisition for the proposed international airport in Purandar taluka has reached its final stage. At this very point, allegations and counter-allegations have begun over the distribution of compensation. It is alleged that during the day hearings are held on farmers' consent, objections and claims, while at night compensation is handed directly to some farmers at a government rest house. The matter is being discussed in the taluka, but land acquisition officer and Additional Collector Kalyan Pandhare has rejected the allegations. There has been no official confirmation of the allegations so far.

About 3,000 acres in seven villages of Purandar taluka are being acquired for the airport project. The villages are Vanpuri, Udachiwadi, Kumbharvalan, Khanwadi, Ekhatpur, Munjwadi and Pargaon. It is said that the acquisition process is more than 90 per cent complete. Separately, about 625 acres in Vanpuri and Udachiwadi are being acquired to provide the ten per cent compensation to farmers affected by the project.

A major reason the process has stalled is disputes within many families over the division of land. Brothers, sisters, paternal aunts, maternal uncles, cousins, sons-in-law and daughters are unable to agree on rights and shares. Because of this, some families have gone to court, and in many cases consent is delayed. There are also allegations that in some cases attempts are being made to obtain compensation directly through middlemen and lawyers. Local people claim that claims and objections are heard during the day and that compensation for some cases is said to be settled at the government rest house at night.

Pandhare responded to the allegations. According to him, many farmers have doubts about the airport project. Farmers also come to meet him to seek advice on how to use the compensation they have received. He said farmers come in large numbers and make requests even after government working hours, so he stays on to answer their doubts and questions.

Pandhare said, "Working hours are until 6 pm, but because of the farmers' questions I have to give guidance late into the evening. There is no other motive behind this. The remaining farmers should give their consent as soon as possible and cooperate with the government."

At present, there has been no official inquiry into the allegations about the acquisition process, and no firm conclusion has emerged on any irregular transaction. The administration's stance on an official clarification or inquiry will therefore be important.

Another allegation has been made against a local journalist who provides information on the acquisition process. It is alleged that, staying in touch with officials, the journalist passes on to the administration information about those who agitate, complain or protest. It is claimed that some people call the journalist an informer. There is no independent confirmation of this allegation either, so it should be treated only as an allegation.