Sena minister gives nod to forceful acquisition of land

Mumbai: Even though Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is opposed to the forcible acquisition of land for the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), which is under Sena leader and public works department (PWD) minister Eknath Shinde, has issued a notification for the forcible possession of 1,376 hectare land from farmers. Opposition parties have slammed the Sena for its double standards, as seen in its opposition to the Nanar project.

Mr Thackeray has been opposing the forceful acquisition of land for the Samruddhi Mahamarg, Nanar and the bullet train projects.  But undeterred by the opposition, Mr Fadnavis is going ahead with these projects.

For Samruddhi Mahamarg, even though Mr Thackeray clarified, while addressing rallies in the Palghar district, that farmers should not be forced to give up their land for these projects. But still the MSRDC has decided to acquire land forcibly and issued the notification.

Farmers have been given a 21-day period in which to file their say. After the hearing, acquisition will be processed. If farmers consent to give up their land then they stand to receive compensation, five times that of the ready reckoner rate, according to MSRDC officers.

The NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik accused the Sena of double standards. “The Sena has also opposed Jaitapur, Nanar, the bullet train and now the Samruddhi project. But all these projects have been cleared. They say one thing before the public and take a different view with the Bharatiya Janata Party in the government,” he said.