Noida Farmers Protest Outside Authority Office Over Pending 10% Developed Plot Allotment
Farmers in Noida staged a protest on October 7 demanding developed residential plots linked to acquired land, reviving a long-running dispute over compensation and rehabilitation.
- Farmers demand developed residential plots equivalent to 10% of acquired land.
- Protesters claim nearly 13,000 affected farmers are still awaiting allotment.
- Noida Authority says discussions with farmer representatives are continuing.
Farmers associated with the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Manch) gathered outside the Noida Authority’s Sector 96 office on Wednesday, October 7, demanding the allotment of developed residential plots against land acquired for Noida’s planned urban expansion. The protest brought fresh attention to a dispute that has continued for years despite several rounds of discussions between farmer groups, government authorities and the Noida Authority.
The protesters are demanding developed plots equivalent to 10% of the land acquired from them. According to the farmer organisation, around 13,000 landowners are yet to receive the benefit. The demand is closely linked to the land-acquisition litigation and the Allahabad High Court’s 2011 Gajraj judgment, which became a key reference point in subsequent claims by affected farmers.
The farmers argue that their agricultural land was acquired for planned development in Noida and that they should receive the developed-plot benefit associated with the court proceedings. They say the compensation component has been addressed, but the promised developed residential plots remain pending for many eligible landowners.
Bhartiya Kisan Union (Manch) president Vimal Tyagi said farmers have repeatedly raised the issue but have yet to receive a satisfactory solution. The protesters are seeking direct action from the Noida Authority, rather than continued referrals between different government departments.
The demonstration also included a demand concerning construction activity on village land. Farmers sought exemption from mandatory map approval requirements for construction on certain village land.
The demonstration took place outside the Noida Authority headquarters in Sector 96. As the gathering affected movement around the main entrance, officials and police personnel asked the protesters to move towards the Authority’s north gate.
The protest nevertheless remained focused on the pending developed-plot issue and the farmers’ broader concerns regarding land acquired for Noida’s urban development.
The 10% developed-plot demand stems from the legal battle over land acquired in Noida and Greater Noida. Farmers had challenged several acquisitions, raising concerns over compensation and the subsequent development and allotment of their land for residential, commercial and other purposes.
In its 2011 Gajraj judgment, the Allahabad High Court directed additional compensation of 64.7% over the compensation already awarded in the relevant acquisition cases. The judgment also provided for developed residential plots equivalent to 10% of the acquired land, subject to the applicable conditions.
The judgment subsequently became an important basis for claims made by farmers affected by land acquisition in the region. The Supreme Court also considered appeals arising from the broader land-acquisition litigation, keeping the additional compensation and developed-plot provisions at the centre of the dispute.
The farmers’ current grievance is not primarily about the additional compensation. According to the latest reporting, the Noida Authority has already paid the additional 64.7% compensation to the affected landowners.
The allotment of developed plots, however, remains unresolved. Land availability has been cited as one of the difficulties in implementing the plot-related benefit, leaving farmers seeking a clear mechanism and timeline for allotment.
For the affected landowners, this distinction is significant: while the financial compensation issue has progressed, the rehabilitation-related benefit of developed residential plots remains a contentious matter.
The Uttar Pradesh government formed a three-member high-powered committee in February 2024 to examine the demands raised by farmers.
The committee comprised Revenue Board chairperson Rajneesh Dube, then Noida district magistrate Manish Kumar and Meerut divisional commissioner Selva Kumari J. After examining the matter, the committee submitted its report in August 2024.
According to the latest reporting, the committee did not find the demands justified or practically feasible based on the documents and analysis examined by it. Despite the committee’s findings, farmer organisations have continued to press for implementation of the developed-plot demand.
Noida Authority Officer on Special Duty Kranti Shekhar said discussions are being held with the farmers to find a solution to their concerns.
The Authority’s position indicates that the matter remains under consideration, although the protesting farmers are seeking a more concrete outcome. The immediate question is whether the ongoing discussions can establish a practical framework for addressing claims relating to developed plots.
The next stage is likely to depend on discussions between the Noida Authority, farmer representatives and the state government. A workable solution would need to address the farmers’ demand while also taking into account land availability, existing legal provisions and the findings of the government-appointed committee.
The dispute has wider significance for Noida because large areas of agricultural land acquired from villages have contributed to the city’s residential, commercial and infrastructure expansion. How the pending developed-plot claims are ultimately handled could influence future discussions around land acquisition, compensation and rehabilitation in the region.
For now, the farmers continue to demand the 10% developed-plot benefit, while the Noida Authority has said that talks aimed at resolving the matter are underway.
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