MAPUSA
The fight of the farmers who faced problems on account of the road widening along the Canca-Mapusa stretch got a major boost, after former WRD minister and Siolim MLA, Vinod Paliencar assured to look into their grievances and arrange to compensate them through the government.
“No injustice should be done to the farmers. We have encroached on their land but have not given them any compensation. I will talk to the government so that they can get some compensation,” Paliencar said.
The former WRD minister along with PWD (road) engineers and the local farmers were present at the road widening site at Canca on Friday.
The President of Shree Bodgeshwar Shetkari Sangh, Sanjay Barde who took up the cause of the farmers was also present at the site.
Continuing, Paliencar said the farmers were upset as no land acquisition process was done before initiating the road-widening project.
He further said that the farmers claimed that they were not informed about the project.
“We should not hurt the farmers. They are ready to part away with their land but the government should follow all the procedures,” he said.
The farmers have also objected to a wall that was being erected adjoining the fields and the road.
“The farmers have to take their tractors and tilling machines inside the fields. With the wall their entire access has been blocked. How will they be able to take the machines into their fields,” Paliencar asked.
Last week the farmers blamed Ports Minister and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo for ruthlessly running roughshod against them in order to expedite the widening of the road.
Paliencar assured to hold another meeting with the farmers and later hold talks with the government on ways to compensate the farmers.
