India, Sept. 23 -- The Ghaziabad Development Authority's (GDA) flagship Harnandipuram housing scheme has hit a major roadblock, with farmers from eight villages opposing the administration's move to keep circle rates for agricultural land unchanged-allegedly at the behest of the GDA.

Farmers allege that the authority wrote to the stamps and registration department on August 8, requesting that no hike be made in agricultural land rates. A copy of this letter was shared by villagers during a panchayat held at Nagla Firoz Mohanpur on Sunday. It states GDA's contention that the rates of procuring land will increase if the circle rates are hiked for the eight villages.

GDA proposed its 521-hectare Harnandipuram housing scheme last year and i...