Maruti land under legal dispute

The allotment of over 200 acres out of the 640 acres given to Maruti Suzuki in Hansalpur village in Ahmedabad district for setting up a manufacturing facility, is under challenge in the Gujarat High Court. As many as 120 families have claimed in a petition that the 207-acre land, which was part of the first parcel given to Maruti by the state government, belonged to them as they have been cultivating on it for decades. However, in government records, it was shown as waste land, they added.

The petitioners, hailing from Hansalpur, have stated in the petition the fertile land was given to their forefathers by the then state government in early 1950s and for this, they cited various government resolutions issued from time to time.

The farmers have also placed copies of tax paid by them to the state government for cultivating on the now-disputed land.

They demand their cultivable land be given back to them. Also, that in lieu of their land, they should be given land or adequate compensation, villagers say. The high court has already issued notice to the state government and further hearing is scheduled for June 12.