The Tamil Nadu government has issued a government order to provide compensation to people whose land was acquired for setting up Bharathiar University near the Marudhamalai foothills in Coimbatore district. The move comes after a prolonged struggle spanning about four decades by land donors and their association.
During the period from 1977 to 1986, when M.G.R. was Chief Minister, the government acquired land for the university. The acquisition covered 925.84 acres of patta land from 1,150 individuals, along with government poramboke land, totalling 1,072 acres, according to the report.
With compensation delayed, landowners filed 19 cases in the Coimbatore court. In a 2007 verdict, the court directed the government to pay Rs 160 crore including interest. The Tamil Nadu government appealed, but the Madras High Court upheld the lower court’s ruling.
Despite the court orders, the land donors’ association continued protests, stating that payments were not made properly. The latest government order provides for compensation of Rs 164,28,34,272.
Association members celebrated the announcement at Kalveerampalayam by bursting crackers and distributing sweets. Leaders including association president Ganeshan and CPM district secretary Padmanabhan took part; Padmanabhan said the interest component was lower than expected, but called the order a victory for the long struggle.
