Compensation for Land, Jobs for Family Members: Why Noida, Greater Noida Farmers Are Protesting

Farmers from Noida and Greater Noida are marching towards Delhi with demands for hiked compensation and developed plots against their land acquired by the local authorities in the past.

Farmers, mostly from Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) and Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Sabha, have reportedly been camping in Noida for the last five months, demanding 10% of abadi land. The SKM is an umbrella body of various farmer unions.

The Jai Jawan Jai Kisan organisation heads the protest against the Ansal builders, All India Kisan Sabha against Greater Noida Authority and Bharatiya Kisan Parishad at National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) headquarters in Sector 24 and Noida Authority in Sector 6.

These organisations called for a Mahapanchayat on Wednesday at Greater Noida to hold a protest march to Parliament on Thursday.

Police have banned large gatherings in Noida to stop farmers from entering Delhi. Traffic advisory has also been issued.

Farmers’ Demands

The protesting farmers from more than 140 villages in Noida and Greater Noida want a compensation for the lands that were acquired by the authorities for different development projects.

At present, the Noida authorities grant 5% of the total acquired land to the farmers, which they call “insufficient”, as mentioned in The Indian Express report.

The farmers have also stressed that the land was acquired from them at cheap rates many years ago so an additional monetary compensation based on current market rates should be given to them. They also want jobs and medical facilities for their families.

The authorities said they will provide an amicable solution to the problem.

Parallel Protest in Punjab

There are reports that ministers Arjun Munda, Nityanand Rai, and commerce minister Piyush Goyal are expected to meet representatives of protesting Punjab farmers in Chandigarh.

The farmers, under the Samyukta Kisan Morcha, had gathered on November 26 in Mohali and Panchkula, along the Chandigarh border, demanding a legal guarantee for minimum support price for all the crops, enacting a law guaranteeing purchase of crops, and a pension of Rs 10,000 per month to farmers above the age of 60 years. They are also demanding the withdrawal of cases against them during the 2020-21 protest over farm laws.

The Haryana Police has issued notices asking farmers not to join any protest.