Farmers burn effigy of Kamal Nath

GREATER NOIDA: Farmers in Noida Extension today hit the streets and burnt an effigy of Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath protesting the approval of Greater Noida master plan by NCRPB.

Farmers threatened not to allow construction work to begin in the area till their demands for enhanced compensation for acquired land and other rehabilitation benefits are met.

Farmers leader Inder Nagar said "our demands are six times the circle rate as compensation as promised by UP CM Akhilesh Yadav and resoluton of abadi (arable) land and 10 per cent developed land and other rehabilitation benefits".

"Till the authorities resolved our issues, we will not allow constrution activity", he said adding "we have also moved the Supreme Court against Allahabad High Court order granting 64.7 per cent hiked compensation and 10 per cent developed land."

Around two hundred farmers participated in the the protest.

In good news for flat buyers in Noida Extension, the National Capital Region Planning Board on Friday gave its approval to the Draft Master Plan for Greater Noida-2021.

The Board, which is chaired by Union Urban Development Minister Kamal Nath, has okayed the Draft Master Plan with the understanding that the earlier recommendations made by the NCRPB technical committee would be incorporated in the plan, officials said.

The Allahabad High Court had stayed construction in Noida Extension, which is a part of Greater Noida, and directed the Greater Noida Authority to seek approval of its Draft plan from the NCR Planning Board.