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Mukul Wasnik Urges Centre to Halt Auroville Land Transfer Plan
Mukul Wasnik is a member of India’s Parliament.
He wants the government to pause a plan to transfer farmland in Auroville to IIT Madras.
The land would be used for a new Sustainability Campus.
The proposed site is part of Annapurna Farm, which grows food organically.
Some Auroville residents say the farm is important because it helps feed the township.
A parliamentary committee had already recommended leaving the farm alone.
The committee suggested finding another nearby place for the campus.
Wasnik also wants no eviction or land transfer until the recommendations are considered.
He asked officials to discuss the plan openly with Auroville residents and other stakeholders.
Congress MP Mukul Wasnik asked the Centre to halt farmland transfer from Auroville to IIT Madras.
The proposed Sustainability Campus would use 100 acres of Annapurna Farm under a July memorandum of understanding.
A parliamentary education panel recommended protecting Annapurna Farms and finding an alternative nearby site.
Annapurna Farm is Auroville’s largest farmland holding and produces organic crops, milk and cheese.
Wasnik requested that eviction notices be withdrawn or paused pending consultation and consideration of alternatives.
- Who
- Congress MP Mukul Wasnik, the Union education ministry, the Auroville Foundation, IIT Madras and Auroville residents are involved.
- What
- Wasnik asked the Centre to halt eviction notices and a proposed transfer of Annapurna Farm land for an IIT Madras campus.
- Where
- Annapurna Farm in Auroville, Tamil Nadu.
- When
- The eviction notice was served on September 5; Wasnik’s letter was sent on Thursday, and the parliamentary panel issued its report last December.
- Why
- The parliamentary committee and residents said losing the farmland could harm Auroville’s food sustainability and that an alternative campus site should be considered.
Campus Development
Farmland Protection
Use of the land
Campus Development
The Auroville Foundation and IIT Madras signed a memorandum of understanding for a 100-acre Sustainability Campus.
Farmland Protection
The parliamentary education committee recommended that Annapurna Farms should not be disturbed and that another nearby site should be found.
Decision-making process
Campus Development
The proposed campus is linked to land transfers under Auroville’s Master Plan, according to the reported process.
Farmland Protection
Wasnik and Auroville residents called for transparency, consultation with stakeholders and a pause on eviction, demolition and land transfer.
Key facts
- Proposed campus
- IIT Madras Sustainability Campus
- Proposed land area
- 100 acres of Annapurna Farm
- Annapurna Farm holding
- 135 acres, the largest share of Auroville’s 300 acres of farmland
- Eviction notice
- A 10-day notice was served on September 5
- Parliamentary recommendation
- Do not disturb Annapurna Farms; find an alternative nearby site
- Farm production
- Organic paddy yields 10 to 20 tonnes annually, alongside dairy products
- Requested action
- Withdraw or pause notices, prevent eviction and land transfer, and consult stakeholders
Quotes
Parliamentary standing committee on education
Parliamentary committee whose report addressed the proposed IIT Madras campus and Auroville farmland.
“Food sustainability is an integral part of the vision of Auroville and the loss of farmland will certainly impact the long-term ability of Auroville to sustain itself.”
telegraphindia.com
Major Arun Ambathy
Permanent resident of Auroville who opposed the proposed land transfer.
“This is the larger trend where educational and cultural establishments are being re-purposed for the consolidation of power and private profiteering.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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