Hyderabad: Chief minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday appealed to farmers to extend litigation-free cooperation and become partners in the development of Bharat Future City, urging them “not to miss the opportunity to receive good compensation offered by the govt and purchase land elsewhere.“Addressing farmers, local elected representatives, among others, after laying the foundation stone for the Future City police commissionerate building at Meerkhanpet in the Bharat Future City, the CM said land prices are increasing rapidly. He cautioned that few farmers who are yet to part with their land may not be able to buy land elsewhere later with the compensation amount if they delay their decision.Referring indirectly to land acquisition during the previous govt for the Pharma city project, he said that had the farmers accepted the compensation offered a few years ago, they could have purchased more land elsewhere than what they are parting with now. “Land prices have increased since then and continue to rise,” he said. The CM said he was told that the price of five acres near the Future City was about Rs 3 crore per acre six months ago, and it has now gone up to Rs 6 crore.“The govt has completed notification and other processes. There is no scope to stop the land from coming under govt control. Over 90% of farmers have already handed over their land. So, please cooperate, and the govt will extend full support to your children as well, including skill development and other benefits,” Revanth said.The CM also urged elected representatives from Ranga Reddy district to take responsibility for convincing farmers to part with their land for fair compensation. “If litigations delay development, it will lead to cost escalation of infrastructure projects, making it difficult for expeditious development. I also appeal to officials to understand that farmers are not our enemies. Respect them, listen to their grievances, and convince them. They will become partners in development,” he said.“This is the people’s govt and has no intention of causing harm or loss to those affected by projects. If any mistakes have occurred, they are purely due to govt’s effort to execute key projects such as Musi Rejuvenation, RRR, Bharat Future City and Metro Rail. We will rectify it,” he said.Reaffirming that the ambitious Future city will be developed on par with cities like Singapore, Tokyo and New York, the CM said some villagers had approached him with a request to include their villages within its limits. He directed officials to conduct gram sabhas and pass resolutions to include their inclusion.Stating that the office of the Future City Development Corporation will be inaugurated before June 2, Revanth said the govt would soon hold review meetings and sign MoUs for investments. “Support this major initiative to transform Future City into a world-class destination,” Revanth told the farmers.
