Rs 5 Lakh/Acre Compensation Announced for Farmers who gave up their Land for the Polavaram Project

The Polavaram Project is a multi-purpose irrigation blueprint on the Godavari River in the Andhra Pradesh nabes of West Godavari and East Godavari. The Union Government of India has designated the program as a National Project.

Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy announced on March 4, Friday that a 5 lakh fiscal package would be given to growers who would part their lands for the Polavaram irrigation design under the passage of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency for Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013.

The Polavaram irrigation project, according to the Chief Minister, will be a lifeline for the entire state of Andhra Pradesh. He said once the project gets completed, the regions of Godavari and Krishna will prosper even more. 

Jagan Mohan said that farmers have been paid a meager 1.5 lakh package per acre as of 2006 and they will indeed be paid the additional 3.5 lakh very soon.  He also said that he has already fulfilled his promise to provide a 10 lakh package to the displaced Polavaram project workers. The second promise of a 5 lakh package per acre of land will also be fulfilled soon enough. Even the poor farmers have received the amount of 10 to 15 lakhs.

During a site visit of the Indukuru resettlement and rehabilitation colony in Devipatnam Mandal, Jagan reassured evacuated families that he was still committed to his promise to offer the 5 lakh land package.

Concerning livelihood opportunities for refugee people, the Chief Minister stated that a course of action was being formed in cooperation with the Skill Development Corporation to ensure work opportunities and skills for the families that have been affected.