Why delayed compensation to farmers: Hyderabad high court

HYDERABAD: Justice Suresh Kumar Kait of the

Hyderabad high court

on Friday summoned AP irrigation department

principal secretary Sasibhushan Kumar

and sought to know why the irrigation and revenue officials were delaying handing over

compensation to farmers

whose land was used for construction of an irrigation project.

The judge was dealing with the contempt petition filed by Penchalaiah and 15 others, who are waiting for their compensation after giving their land for the construction of

Somasila project in Kurnool district

. They sought action against Sasibhushan, the district collector and land acquisition officer. The irrigation secretary sought three months time to settle the issue.While granting time, the judge slapped Rs 24,000 penalty on the accused, who will have to pay the amount to the farmers.