Farmers demand 'fair' compensation for crops ruined by pipeline

 

Township authorities offered to pay Ks 3.9 million (US$3,900) per acre to some 200 farmers on Tuesday and Wednesday. Half of the farmers turned down the offer, saying the compensation was one-tenth of the value of their crops.

“On the first day the authorities made the compensation offer, they answered some questions raised by the farmers. They did not reply to any question on the following day. They just said ‘take it if you like and leave it’. What we ask for is the actual value of our crops. Those who accepted the compensation did so because they were in urgent need for money. For us, we would like to say they are treating us like beggars,” said Yan Naung Tun, farmer from Gotegyi village.

The pipeline construction began one-and-a-half years ago. 

Some farmers protested against delayed payments in May. On Thursday, township official Naing Win Zaw claimed that the compensation dispute had been resolved.