Srinagar Ring Road project is depriving farmers of their livelihood

Despite the abrogation of Article 370, the government in Jammu and Kashmir, instead of applying the central law on land acquisition, continues to apply outdated rates to assess the compensation due to farmers while expropriating their orchards. RAJA MUZAFFAR BHAT writes about the situation on ground and his recent interaction with the Union Home Minister.

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IN February this year, I had written a piece in this publication titled "Life after Article 370: Orchards of Distress". In the article, I highlighted how vague assessments were being made regarding the compensation due to the fruit growers of Kashmir, by authorities in Jammu and Kashmir. The farmers, mainly the apple growers and some plum farmers, whose land falls within the scope of the Srinagar Ring Road project, are in a state of shock, as hundreds of their fruit trees were axed recently in the villages of central Kashmir's Budgam district.

Also read: Why is the government acquiring land under a repealed statute in Jammu & Kashmir?

I was under the impression that before axing the trees, the government would, at the minimum, make sure that affected farmers would be compensated as per the existing market rate of the fruit. However, this has not been the case.