FARMER VS SYSTEM:

Washim, Maharashtra: A farmer’s struggle in Washim district has raised serious questions about development, administrative accountability, land rights and the protection of livelihoods.

Santosh Motiram Shinde, a farmer from Village Davha, Taluka Malegaon, District Washim, alleges that the land which supported his family for generations has now become the centre of a prolonged battle involving infrastructure development, administrative decisions and questions of fairness.

His fight, according to him, is not merely for his personal property but represents the concerns of thousands of farmers whose lands are acquired for major public projects.

Santosh Shinde states that a portion of his agricultural land was earlier acquired for the prestigious Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg Project.

However, he alleges that despite surrendering land for a major public infrastructure project, he has not received complete benefits and reliefs that he believes he is entitled to under the applicable process.

“If the farmer’s land creates the road for development, why does the farmer’s own future become uncertain?”

After losing part of his land for the Samruddhi Mahamarg project, Santosh Shinde says that his remaining ancestral land became the only support system for his family.

For him, the establishment is not merely a commercial activity but the sole source of income and survival for his family.

However, he alleges that this remaining land and business are now also under threat.

Santosh Shinde alleges that a high boundary structure was constructed around the vicinity of his property, affecting the functioning of his business.

– Reduced visibility of his establishment;

– Difficulty in customer access;

– Decline in business activity;

– Financial hardship for his family.

He questions whether such construction was carried out after proper survey, lawful demarcation and transparent consultation with the affected landholder.

Santosh Shinde has raised objections before the concerned authorities regarding the proposed direct purchase/acquisition proceedings concerning his remaining agricultural land bearing:

Gat No. 106, Village Davha, Taluka Malegaon, District Washim.

He alleges that attempts are being made to take over his land without ensuring complete transparency and compliance with legal safeguards.

– Independent joint measurement of the land;

– GPS-based survey and boundary verification;

– Disclosure of complete project records;

– Access to DPR, alignment plans and land documents;

– Protection of his possession and livelihood until the dispute is resolved.

1. Was the boundary alignment prepared after proper legal survey?

2. Were all affected landowners provided complete information?

3. Was a joint measurement conducted in the presence of the landholder?

4. Was the impact on the farmer’s business assessed?

5. Were all similarly placed citizens treated equally?

6. Were all procedures under applicable land acquisition and direct purchase policies followed?

Santosh Shinde has approached the Hon’ble Civil Judge, Senior Division, Washim, seeking protection of his rights.

– Preservation of existing status;

– Protection against unauthorized interference;

– Respect for the judicial process;

– Protection of his lawful business activities.

He maintains that until the dispute is legally decided, no irreversible action should be permitted on the disputed property.

In representations submitted before police authorities, Santosh Shinde has alleged that certain persons entered his premises, threatened him, interfered with his business and attempted to create pressure during the pendency of the dispute.

– A fair and impartial investigation;

– Preservation of electronic evidence;

– Verification of persons claiming association with project-related activities;

– Protection for himself, his family and his business.

Large infrastructure projects are symbols of progress and economic growth.

Can development move forward by ignoring the concerns of the very farmers whose land makes such projects possible?

The responsibility of the administration is not limited only to completing projects.

– Protecting citizens’ rights;

– Ensuring transparency;

– Following due process;

– Providing fair treatment to affected families.

1. What compensation and benefits were provided to Santosh Shinde after acquisition of his land for Samruddhi Mahamarg?

2. What is the legal status of Gat No.106?

3. Under which approvals and survey records was the boundary structure constructed?

4. Was the direct purchase/acquisition proposal processed according to government guidelines?

5. Was the economic loss caused to the Dhaba assessed?

6. Were all affected landholders treated equally?

7. Will MSRDC and district authorities conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations?

“I am not against development. Roads and infrastructure are necessary for the nation. But development should not destroy the livelihood of the farmer who sacrifices his land for it. I only seek justice, transparency and protection of my rights.”

EX7 News has sought responses from the concerned authorities, including MSRDC and administrative officials.

The allegations mentioned in this report are based on representations, complaints and documents provided by the concerned farmer. The concerned authorities will be given an opportunity to present their official response.

This is not merely a dispute over one piece of land.

Infrastructure Development + Farmers’ Rights + Administrative Accountability