Farmers' grievances: Japan International Cooperation Agency submits report

The delegation from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the agency funding the ambitious bullet train project between Ahmedabad and Mumbai, has submitted a report to the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) over the grievances raised by the project affected farmers in the state.

Notably, the delegation had visited the affected farmers in Surat on December 7-8 last year to understand their grievances against the proposed acquisition of their land for the project.

According to advocate Anand Yagnik, who is fighting for the project affected farmers, the agency's report is related to the legitimate demands of the farmers regarding proper compensation rate, comprehensive rehabilitation package, effective consultations, and social impact assessment as prescribed under the central Land Acquisition Act, 2013.

"What appealed the delegation the most was the fact that the compensation being offered to farmers as per the old jantri rates was way less that the price set-forth by government agencies and departments such as Gujarat Housing Board and Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation.