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Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar, criticised the state government over its handling of land acquisition for the proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway, alleging that farmers are being pressured at a time when unseasonal rains and hailstorms have damaged crops across several districts. He said compensation for earlier losses and a promised paddy bonus are still pending. Protests have been reported in Parbhani and other districts, where farmers have opposed the survey process and police deployment for land measurement activities.
Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar criticised the Maharashtra government over the land acquisition process for the proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway, stating that farmers are being forced to face official action at a time when they are already dealing with crop losses due to unseasonal rain and hailstorms. Advertisement
He said standing crops such as jowar, wheat and gram have suffered damage in parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. Mango and grape orchards have also been affected. According to him, weather forecasts indicate the possibility of further rainfall in districts such as Solapur, Parbhani, Nanded and Dharashiv, adding to farmers concerns.
Wadettiwar stated that despite earlier natural calamities, compensation has not been fully disbursed. He also said that the government has not released the promised bonus for paddy farmers. He urged the state to relax norms and provide immediate financial relief to affected cultivators.
Referring to the land survey process, he alleged that notices for land measurement were being pasted outside farmers homes and that a large police presence was deployed in Sahajpur-Jawla village in Parbhani district to conduct the survey. He described the action as unfair and said the government should first address farmers grievances before pushing the project forward.
The proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway is planned to improve connectivity between key religious and regional centres in Maharashtra and Goa. However, farmers in districts such as Dharashiv, Sangli, Kolhapur and Parbhani have raised objections, stating that fertile agricultural land would be affected. In Parbhani, farmers and local leaders staged a road blockade protest against the survey activity and demanded that the project alignment be reconsidered.
Opposition leaders have said that infrastructure projects should not move ahead without proper dialogue and consent from landowners. They have also called for transparency in compensation and rehabilitation measures.
The issue has once again highlighted tensions around land acquisition for large infrastructure projects in Maharashtra. In the past, similar resistance was seen in other highway and industrial corridor projects where farmers sought higher compensation and clarity on rehabilitation.
Source PTI
FAQ
1. Who has raised concerns about the land acquisition process?
Vijay Wadettiwar, Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, has criticised the state government's approach to land acquisition for the proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway.
2. What are the main concerns raised by the Opposition?
Wadettiwar alleged that farmers are being pressured through land surveys and official notices at a time when they are already facing crop losses due to unseasonal rain and hailstorms. He also claimed that compensation for earlier natural calamities and the promised paddy bonus have not been fully disbursed.
3. Which crops and regions have been affected?
Standing crops such as jowar, wheat, and gram have reportedly suffered damage in parts of Vidarbha and Marathwada. Mango and grape orchards have also been affected. Weather forecasts indicate possible further rainfall in districts including Solapur, Parbhani, Nanded, and Dharashiv.
4. What has happened during the land survey process?
According to the Opposition, land measurement notices were pasted outside farmers homes, and a large police presence was deployed in Sahajpur-Jawla village in Parbhani district during survey activities. Farmers in Parbhani staged a road blockade protest opposing the survey.
5. What is the Shaktipeeth Expressway project?
The proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway aims to improve connectivity between key religious and regional centres in Maharashtra and Goa. However, farmers in districts such as Dharashiv, Sangli, Kolhapur, and Parbhani have objected, stating that fertile agricultural land would be affected.
6. What broader issue does this controversy highlight?
The matter reflects recurring tensions in Maharashtra over land acquisition for large infrastructure projects. Opposition leaders have called for proper dialogue, transparency in compensation, and clear rehabilitation measures before moving forward with such projects.
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