TNN, Sep 24, 2010
AHMEDABAD: The Gujarat High Court on Tuesday issued notices to the state government and Ahmedabad district collector seeking explanation on how non-agriculturists were shown as farmers and allotted farm land meant for dalit landless families.
Acting on a PIL filed by Ayub Desai from Dhandhuka, a bench headed by Chief Justice S J Mukhopadhaya sought responses from the authorities by October 11. Based on the information received from the revenue department under Right to Information (RTI) Act, the petitioner claimed that names of many people, who were not farmers and belonging to higher castes, were included in the list of agriculturists making them eligible to purchase farm land. Moreover, wealthy persons were allotted plots which meant for poor landless farmers through what is commonly known as 'land kacheri'. Desai complained before the court that he had tried to convince revenue authorities to stop the racket, but no action was taken. He also furnished details of the beneficiaries.
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