Port Blair, Feb 05: As the process of distributing monetary compensation to tsunami affected farmers had suffered a massive set back in Andaman and Nicobar Islands because of protests by the public, the A & N Administration today made a fresh appeal to tsunami hit farmers for take away the compensation amount. However the Gram Vikas Samity has made it clear that in any cause the farmers will not surrender the tsunami inundated land.
At present the A & N Administration is paying monetary compensation @ Rs.9.39 lakhs per hectare as compensation to tsunami hit farmers in lieu of their submerged land since July 2012.
“It is noticed that though number of claimants have filed their claims they are yet to come forward before Tehsildar concerned for completion of proceedings which is pre requisite for finalizing their claims of cash compensation in lieu of their submerged land. All such claimants are hereby advised to appear before respective Tehsildars for completion of proceedings without any further delay,” an official release of A & N Administration said here today.
Most of the tsunami affected farmers are however protesting against the move of A & N Administration to release compensation in lieu of their submerged land. This is the reason why most of the tsunami affected farmers have not claimed the money yet.
“Apart from the above, all those Tsunami affected farmers and tenants whose land got submerged during Tsunami 2004 in the South Andaman District and not yet submitted applications for grant of cash compensation in lieu of their submerged land are hereby once again advised to submit their applications along with all requite documents in their respective Tehsil Offices by the end of February 2013 for processing, finalizing and releasing compensation in this financial year itself failing which it would not be possible to process their request later on,” the release added.
Last year in two occasions tsunami hit farmers had blocked the Andaman Trunk Road, which resulted in mass arrest of protesters.
“We will continue our protest till our demands are fulfilled. All farmers have collectively resolved not to surrender their land to receive compensation for land loss in a tsunami and in any case we will not surrender our land,” Rajesh Kumar Lall the General Secretary of Gram Vikas Samity told ‘Andaman Sheekha’ today
Sources told Andaman Sheekha that till now only Rs. 20 crores have been distributed among the farmers but there are no takers for rest nearly Rs. 100 crores.
Inside sources told Andaman Sheekha that the Gram Vikas Samity will also rethink on their stand very soon and a high level secret meeting will be convened in this regard this week.
