BANTWAL : The AMR Hydel Project at Shambhur in Bantwal, has already hit hard
several farmers in the vicinity who are struggling to secure compensation from the
company. One such farmer who is also visually impaired, is today fighting for justice as
the lurings of the company had not only created a rift in his family, but also harmed his
land in the process.
Vincent Pinto, who is blind in both his eyes was leading a peaceful life by farming in
his share of agricultural land, until the AMR Company set foot into Shambhur. Though
he and has 11 brothers and sisters had a share in the 11 acre ancestral property of his
father. Vincent was given the land by the rest through a GPA. Though everything was
fine until then, the real problem arose after the company decided to set up its plant in
Shambhur and his sisters Gracy Pinto and Carmine Pinto all of a sudden sold 1.44 acre
land to the company without consulting Vincent nor seeking his signature. Vincent has
moved the court in this direction. He says it is presently difficult for him to undertake
farming in the little land he owns as it gets inundated due to the project works.
He says the unscientific project works initiated by the company has hit hard his 75 cents
land located half a km away from the left banks of Netravati and has 516 palm and 25
coconut trees apart from a field growing three crops.
On the edge of his land is a narrow canal. But it has been alleged that this canal has
been unscientifically diverted in the place where it joins the sea. The result-Pinto’s land
remains inundated during most of the time of the year adversely affecting the trees and
fields.
“ The company has so far not taken any pain to provide compensation to me for the
losses that I have suffered,†says Vincent with deep pain.
He says whenever enquired, the company authorities inform the company has been sold
to another firm and direct him to contact the other firm.
This, Pinto suspects may even be a ploy to shrug off their responsibility to pay
compensation. There is also a possibility of AMR and Ritwik energy even selling off the
company to Green Co after availing all subsidy from the government, he further adds.
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