Noida: A group of farmers from Rohillapur village has accused Noida Authority of allotting residential plots on land that is under litigation, alleging the move violates both an earlier agreement with landowners and the prescribed acquisition process. The farmers, who held a news conference on Sunday, demanded that the allotments be cancelled immediately, warning they would intensify their protest if the Authority failed to act.The dispute centres on a 2,000sqm land parcel owned by six families. According to the farmers, the Authority recently carved out and allotted 5% abadi plots on nearly 500sqm of the land despite never acquiring it.“Our family agreed in 2016-17 to let the Authority build internal roads in Sector 132 through our land. In return, we were assured that the remaining land would stay with our families and would not be acquired. We have now learnt that plots have been carved out and allotted on the same land. This is unjust and will be opposed at every level,” said Ranjan Tomar, a landowner and president of the Noida Village Residents Association (NOVRA).Under the UP Industrial Development Act, 1976, the Authority is required to acquire agricultural land before developing or allotting it for residential or other purposes. The farmers contend that this process was never completed because they challenged the acquisition in court.“The Authority could not acquire this portion of the land as the matter is still pending before the court,” said farmer Ajit Singh Tomar.The landowners also alleged that local Authority officials have repeatedly visited the site, warning that shops, kiosks and other structures would be demolished because the land had already been allotted to applicants.The farmers have sought cancellation of the allotment letters and restoration of the land’s original status. They are scheduled to meet senior Noida Authority officials on Monday.An Authority official said the farmers should meet officials with all relevant documents. “If they have documents related to the agreement, they can present them and the issue can be resolved,” the official said.
