GREATER NOIDA: A group of farmers from Jewar have moved writ petitions in Allahabad high court , demanding increased compensation for their land earmarked for the airport project. Seven separate applications have been moved by land owners of Kishorpur and neighbouring villages. The hearing is scheduled for next Monday.Sunil Kumar, a resident of Kishorpur, said local farm owners are not satisfied with the compensation rate of Rs 2,300 per sq m as decided by the government. “We’ve been sitting on protest for four months, demanding four times compensation. However, the district administration hasn’t addressed our grievances. So, 83 farmers together filed seven writs in the Allahabad high court. The petitions have been admitted and the hearing will be held on Monday,” he said, expressing hope that their grievances will finally be heard and justice delivered.The district administration plans to file a counter application against the move. Balram Singh, ADM (land acquisition) said the writ petitions were filed by farmers in their individual capacity, for their share of land, not on the entire earmarked site. “The land acquisition process is taking place as per the Land Acquisition Act. A team of officials from the district administration and the Yamuna Authority has reached Allahabad to file a counter petition in court,” he said.The ADM said the district administration has prepared a rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) report, after conducting door-to-door surveys, and recorded minute details of each household. “We have also made video recordings of the process conducted so far, to ensure transparency. The farmers have a democratic right to approach court if they are not satisfied,” he said.Noida bar association president PPS Nagar said the high court’s order will be as per the Land Acquisition Act 2013. “The court may direct the government for increased compensation, or reject the writs if it feels they have no merit. I don’t think acquisition for a project of national importance, like an airport, will be stayed,” he said.Meanwhile, the administration has moved the acquisition file to the Meerut commissioner for his clearance, to begin awarding compensation, which is most likely to begin from this Saturday.

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