Rs 60 crore dues: Officials seek time to pay compensation to ryots

Vellore

In 2002, around 330 farmers had handed over land for the construction of the Andiappanur reservoir near Tirupattur. While 140 acres were used for the construction of the reservoir, the remaining 60 acres were used to build the supply channel.

However, as farmers were not satisfied with the Rs 50,000 per acre compensation offered to them, they petitioned the Tirupattur sub-Collector for an enhanced compensation. Further, they had also represented their grievances with the land acquisition officials.

Thereafter, a case was filed in the land acquisition court, which in 2015 ordered a payment of Rs 50 per sq ft as compensation and the total amount worked to Rs 25 crore. As the said compensation was not paid, the court ordered the confiscation of office equipment and the official vehicle used by the Collector for total dues amounting to Rs 60 crore, including the interest.

Court officials, led by former public prosecutor S Ravikumar, arrived with the orders and attempted to first confiscate the car. This was opposed by the district officials, while DRO J Parthiban requested them to provide some time to settle the issue.

Ravikumar told reporters that they would move the High Court shortly as the Dussehra vacation had started from Monday. When it reopens, the court officials will do the needful to ensure justice, he added.