Challenging the claims of the state government land allotments model to industrial houses, activists observing these patterns have raised some basic questions.
Challenging the claims of the state government land allotments model to industrial houses, activists observing these patterns have raised some basic questions that have been overlooked in the name of development.
A consultation was organised at Ahinsa Shodh Kendra in Gujarat Vidyapith in the city on Saturday on the land issues, based on compilation of a small study on the impact of land acquisition and land alienation in Gujarat.
Researchers and activists associated with institutions like Behavioural Science Centre, Paryavaran Mitra, Action Aid and People in Center presented various facts and views on the subject. Veteran social scientist and researcher Achyut Yagnik said, “State government is working like it is the owner of the land in the state, not as a trustee of the resources. Now, even industries are considered as public property. Because of this, the lower 20% population of Gujarat, which comprises salt pan workers, pastoralist communities, fishermen, minorities and Dalits, are facing real issues of their livelihood.”
The study has been done by an independent researcher Persis Ginwala. She claimed that it was very difficult to get data from the government. She said, “We have filed a number of RTI applications seeking information on land allotments for various industrial purposes in the state revenue department but have not received any data. Our RTI applications are at the appeal stage now.”
Environmental activist Mahesh Pandya supported Ginwala’s claim. He said, “When we tried to get information through MLAs in the state assembly many of the questions related to the land acquisitions were twisted.”
Further it was also noted that government’s process of organising public hearing at the time of land allotments to the industries, is nothing but an eyewash and formality.
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