The Crossbill News Desk
Gujarat’s farmers are refusing to accept the State government’s revised compensation framework for high-voltage transmission lines, arguing that the policy does not adequately account for the long-term impact of electricity infrastructure on agricultural land and its value.
The protest has spread across several districts, with farmers opposing the installation of transmission towers and lines across their fields.
The agitation initially focused on Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. (AESL)’s 765-kV transmission project connected to the Khavda Renewable Energy Park but has since expanded into a broader campaign against transmission projects undertaken by different companies, Financial Express reported.
The State government had revised its compensation policy through a resolution issued on July 4. The new framework shifted the basis of compensation from Jantri rates to market value and provided for upfront payments. Farmers, however, contend that the changes do not sufficiently compensate them for restrictions on the use of their land or the potential decline in its future market value.
“The farmers will be at a loss as to the manner in which the calculations are to be done in the lottery system,” Nehul Amruiya, one of the farm leaders heading the agitation told Financial Express. Amruiya is also the nephew of Gujarat minister Kantilal Amrutiya.
The protests have included campaigns urging villagers not to allow BJP representatives into their villages, reflecting the growing political dimension of the dispute.
Farmer leaders say their opposition is no longer confined to any particular corporate group or transmission project. “We are against all companies that are setting up transmission lines. The idea is to educate and empower each and every farmer regardless of transmission line(s) passing over their fields,” said farmer leader Amrutiya.
Farmers argue that the presence of transmission towers can limit cultivation and make agricultural plots less attractive to prospective buyers. They also fear that the infrastructure could prevent landowners from fully benefiting from rising land values if the areas are subsequently sought for industrial development.
Pratik Patel, an agitating farmer, told FE that around 40 lakh bighas of land involving 4.50 lakh farmers across different districts of Gujarat could be affected.
“The farmers will not be able to cultivate the land fully when the poles are erected. The poles and transmission lines bring down the land price. They will not be able to sell it to industrialists in future,” said Patel.
The farmers’ resistance therefore centres not only on the immediate compensation offered for towers and transmission lines but also on the longer-term economic consequences for agricultural landowners.
With the revised policy failing to satisfy the protesters, the agitation against transmission projects shows no immediate sign of ending.
The protest has spread across several districts, with farmers opposing the installation of transmission towers and lines across their fields.
The agitation initially focused on Adani Energy Solutions Ltd. (AESL)’s 765-kV transmission project connected to the Khavda Renewable Energy Park but has since expanded into a broader campaign against transmission projects undertaken by different companies, Financial Express reported.
The State government had revised its compensation policy through a resolution issued on July 4. The new framework shifted the basis of compensation from Jantri rates to market value and provided for upfront payments. Farmers, however, contend that the changes do not sufficiently compensate them for restrictions on the use of their land or the potential decline in its future market value.
“The farmers will be at a loss as to the manner in which the calculations are to be done in the lottery system,” Nehul Amruiya, one of the farm leaders heading the agitation told Financial Express. Amruiya is also the nephew of Gujarat minister Kantilal Amrutiya.
The protests have included campaigns urging villagers not to allow BJP representatives into their villages, reflecting the growing political dimension of the dispute.
Farmer leaders say their opposition is no longer confined to any particular corporate group or transmission project. “We are against all companies that are setting up transmission lines. The idea is to educate and empower each and every farmer regardless of transmission line(s) passing over their fields,” said farmer leader Amrutiya.
Farmers argue that the presence of transmission towers can limit cultivation and make agricultural plots less attractive to prospective buyers. They also fear that the infrastructure could prevent landowners from fully benefiting from rising land values if the areas are subsequently sought for industrial development.
Pratik Patel, an agitating farmer, told FE that around 40 lakh bighas of land involving 4.50 lakh farmers across different districts of Gujarat could be affected.
“The farmers will not be able to cultivate the land fully when the poles are erected. The poles and transmission lines bring down the land price. They will not be able to sell it to industrialists in future,” said Patel.
The farmers’ resistance therefore centres not only on the immediate compensation offered for towers and transmission lines but also on the longer-term economic consequences for agricultural landowners.
With the revised policy failing to satisfy the protesters, the agitation against transmission projects shows no immediate sign of ending.
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