Gujarat Farmers Reject Govt Talks Over Power Lines Row, Demand Written Guarantee

The standoff over power transmission poles passing through agricultural land in Gujarat's Morbi district has intensified, with protesting farmers from Jetpar village refusing the state government's invitation for talks.

The farmers have made it clear they will participate in negotiations only after receiving a written assurance on their key demands.

Why did farmers reject the government's offer?

Following directions from the Morbi Collector, senior revenue officials visited the protest site and invited farmer representatives to Gandhinagar for discussions.

However, the protesters declined the invitation, saying previous meetings with the government had yielded only verbal assurances without any concrete outcome.

Farmer leaders said the government should first provide a written commitment explaining how their demands would be addressed before expecting them to attend negotiations.

What are the farmers demanding?

The agitation centres around the installation of high-voltage electricity transmission poles across farmland.

Farmers allege that:

• Power infrastructure is being installed without adequate consent.
• Compensation remains inadequate.
• Productive agricultural land is being permanently affected.

Protest gains statewide support

The movement is no longer limited to Morbi.

Farmers from Ahmedabad and Jamnagar have extended support, with more than 50 vehicles reportedly heading to Jetpar to join the agitation.

Political pressure builds

The issue has also entered the political arena.

Congress has launched a padyatra over the matter, while the Aam Aadmi Party has announced a mass hunger strike in Gandhinagar from July 5.

Farmer groups are also demanding the formation of a state-level committee to determine compensation for power transmission projects.

Similar protests begin in Gondal

The agitation has now spread to Moviya village in Gondal, where farmers have begun a symbolic hunger strike against the installation of 400 kV and 765 kV double-circuit transmission lines.

Protesters allege electricity companies are erecting transmission towers without prior notice or fair compensation, reducing cultivable land and affecting their livelihoods.