"We want adequate compensation for lands acquired by the government. The state must also compensate us for our wells and trees that have taken away from us. We would be happy if our land is returned or land allotted to us in some other place," a farmer from Saykha village Sunilsinh Raj said.
The farmers said they were not happy the way their lands were taken away from them by Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC). Besides, it is giving us Rs 7 lakh per acre when the rate is much higher in Vilayat and Dahej industrial estate, they added.
"The government will sell this land to industries at a higher rate. We have made a representation to the chief minister, but nothing has happened. We have decided to go on Gandhigiri to get back our land from GIDC," another farmer Hemantsinh Raj said.
When contacted, GIDC divisional manager Digvijaysinh Parmar said, "I am not aware about the demonstration by farmers in front of the district collectorate. Only when somebody informs me can I take step to resolve farmers’ problems."
Bharuch district collector Roopwant Singh said, "The GIDC is acquiring land for Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR), Bharuch. Hence, GIDC only can resolve the issue that concern the farmers. We have forwarded the representation of farmers to GIDC and will do the necessary follow up from here in the matter."