On 22 September in Patna and across Bihar, CPIML and All India Kisan Mahasabha organized protest meetings against the decision to hand over 1050 acres of land to Adani for a power plant at the rate of only Re 1 per acre.
In Patna, the meeting was addressed by Phulwari MLA Gopal Ravidas, senior leader Comrade KD Yadav, Kisan Mahasabha State Co-Secretary Comrade Rajendra Patel, Jalla Kisan Sangharsh Samiti leader Comrade Shambhunath Mehta, and AICCTU leader Ranvijay Kumar.
Speaking on the occasion, KD Yadav said that Modi has opened the doors of Bihar for Adani to loot. Landless poor families do not get even 3 decimals of land for housing, but when it comes to Adani, the government hands over 1050 acres with orchards at the rate of Re 1 per acre. The government fails to give shelter to the poor but makes corporates rich. The NDA’s slogan should be “With the people, for Adani’s development.”
Gopal Ravidas said that in Bhagalpur, in the name of Adani’s power project, Modi and Nitish are preparing for double fraud. On one hand, they are grabbing fertile land and handing it to Adani. On the other, industrial exploitation of Ganga water will create a new water crisis in Eastern Bihar. They claim 10,000–12,000 workers will be engaged during construction, but this means only temporary contractual labour. They talk of 3,000 jobs during operations, but in reality, local people rarely get opportunities. Bihar’s people will not allow Modi and Adani to deceive them and run away.
This land grab is not limited to Bhagalpur. It is happening across Bihar. Old industries were destroyed, and now in the name of new industries, whatever little land poor farmers have is being taken away without compensation or for a pittance and handed over to corporate cronies.
Now in Hansapur-Asthawan of Chewra block in Sheikhpura, 250 acres of land is being seized in the name of industry with nominal compensation. Small farmers’ cultivation is on the verge of complete destruction.
In Sheikhpura, when Kisan Mahasabha held a protest, SDO and DM abused leaders, tore up the petition receipts, and called the leaders “goons.” Cases were slapped on four farmer leaders. Loudspeakers and e-rickshaws used in the protest were confiscated. This is the reality of NDA rule where people speaking for rights are put in jail and corporates are given everything for free.
