Farmer embarks on bullock cart yatra to seek compensation for his lost land in Yellandu

Yellandu (Kothagudem): A farmer, who accused the SCCL and the revenue department of denying compensation for the land that they acquired for an open cast mine, started a bullock cart yatra on Thursday to meet Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao in Hyderabad.

The farmer, Sundar Lal Lodha, a resident of Yellandu, claimed that the SCCL had denied compensation for about 50 acres taken from his family nearly 30 years ago. However, he does not have any valid document in support of his claim, and stated that has a Pahani Nakal as original patta was burnt in a fire accident at his house some time ago.

Meanwhile, Karepally MRO Ch Swamy pointed out the land acquisition took place 40 years ago. If Lodha had documents to assert ownership on the land, he should have raised objection at that time. Raising the issue now would not help.

The land in question was part of a large chunk of 4,500 acres that belonged to one Parsa Ranga Rao, the true patta holder, under Survey No 548 of Usirikalapalli village. The SCCL acquired 2,000 acres duly by paying compensation and 2,500 acres are now being enjoyed by tribals and others, he informed.

As per Revenue records, Lodha is not in the list and hence not eligible for the compensation, the MRO said.

Meanwhile, the police stopped the yatra taken up by Lodha and his family members at Aliyathanda in Karepalli of Khammam when the family was on their way to Hyderabad on their bullock cart.