Chhattisgarh misleading farmers for GMR project: Legislator

Raipur, Dec 14 (IANS) A legislator from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday accused the Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC) of acquiring land for GMR Energy from farmers in his constituency by misleading the revenue department.

Raising the issue in the assembly, Dharsiwa legislator Devji Bhai Patel slammed his own party government and said the CSIDC was working against the interests of farmers in his constituency to favour the company which is setting up a thermal power plant at Raikheda area in Raipur district.

Patel wanted to know from his party government “whether this type of veiled land deals should be scrapped by the government to save innocent farmers of my constituency”.

He vowed not to allow such “vague acquisitions” at any cost. Patel alleged that GMR Energy has started laying a railway line for its upcoming power plant without permission of the competent authority.

GMR Energy’s 1,370 MW coal-fired Chhattisgarh project has been mired in controversy over accusations of local farmers about illegal land takeover or starting construction at the site without getting required permission.

In September last year, Chief Minister Raman Singh told the assembly in a written reply to a Congress member that the state government has filed a case in court against GMR Energy for starting the construction for the project much before it received permission.

IANS 2012-12-14 21:52:25