Fresh PIL filed against Noida Authority for Cheap Land Allotment
After many days of Supreme Court’s orders of canceling the allotment of farmland to private builders in Greater Noida, a fresh Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed on Tuesday challenging the Noida Authority’s decision to allot land of farmers at cheap rates for farmhouse scheme. In the petition, it has been alleged that the decision has caused a loss of Rs 1,200 crore to the state exchequer.
“During the course of investigation, it was unearthed that two of the several companies that were allotted the farmhouses belong to Agra and New Delhi. The two companies came into existence just a few months before the allotment of farmhouses,” Nagar alleged. He added that the Authority is cheating innocent farmers in the name of development. The land was highly fertile and farmers’ families were dependent on it.
The PIL filed by BJP leader Nawab Singh Nagar in the Allahabad High Court alleges that the Noida Authority acquired 55 hectares of land of innocent farmers in Dostpur and Manglori Bangar villages in the name of industrial development in the area, but the land was later transferred to individuals to build farmhouses at cheap rates. The court, while accepting the PIL, has posted the matter for further hearing on July 14.
Speaking to TOI, petitioner Nawab Singh Nagar said on the pretext of undertaking developmental schemes, the state government forcibly acquired over one crore square feet of land in Dostpur-Mangrauli village in Noida. Ironically, the acquired land was converted into farmhouses which were allegedly allotted to non-existent companies.
In another setback to the state government, the High Court on Tuesday slammed it for the acquisition of farmland in Bulandshahr district in 2002 against the wishes of the farmers. The court asked the government as to why land was acquired without providing adequate compensation and consent of the farmers. The court has given one month time to UPSIDC to talks to farmers.
Agra, Allahabad High Court, Allotment of farmland to private builders in Greater Noida, Cheap Land Allotment, Dostpur, Dostpur-Mangrauli village in Noida, Farmers in Dostpur, Fresh PIL, Fresh PIL filed against Noida Authority, Greater Noida, Manglori Bangar villages, New Delhi, Noida, Noida Authority, Private builders, Public Interest Litigation, UPSIDC