RailEnquiry

Farmers whose land would be acquired during the upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela 2012-13 are billed to receive a 50 per cent increase in compensation.Mela Officer Mani Prasad Mishra told The Hindu that an increased compensation of Rs.1 crore would be given to the farmers due to price rise and increased land acquisition, among other considerations. The decision was taken after a meeting with the farmers.The farmers had been demanding a higher compensation saying that since they would not be able to use their land for cultivation for the next six months, their losses would be huge. They also cited rising prices as another reason.Over 8,750 bighas of land in 46 villages in the Phulpur, Sadar and Karchhana tehsils are under the Mela area from October 1 to March 31, according to the Mela administration. The formal land acquisition process began on Monday.Forty-four villages were initially marked for acquisition but due to excess demand the Mela area has been extended to 46 villages. In the 2001 Maha Kumbh Mela, land was acquired from 26 villages.The Mela area, spread over 20 km this time, also includes 535 acres of Army land, 425 acres of the local administration and 18 acres of the Railways.Meanwhile, the State Government has given all departments in charge of the Mela, including the Public Works Department, the Allahabad Development Authority and the Forest Department, a November 30 deadline to complete the Phase I work.