RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Nov.12: Varying land compensation amount at the same location confuses villagers.
A landowner of Namkum Patras Lakra informed Lagatar24.com saying variation in compensation rate at the same location has caused unrest among landowners.
“At Sidrol in Namkum, while Rs 90,000 per decimal was paid as compensation by Jharkhand Vidyut Urja Nigam Limited, Rs 1.5 lakh per decimal was paid as compensation for the road construction work. Now, Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) which is laying the gas pipeline is paying Rs 5200 per decimal as compensation,” Lakra said, sharing the problem.
“Compensation amount being paid by GAIL is too low and villagers are not comfortable to give their land on the rate but those engaged for GAIL work threatening villagers of dire consequences saying the compensation rate has been fixed by the union government and any agitation against it prove will dearly for agitators,” Lakra added.
Contacted the site engineer of GAIL, he clarified the situation saying villagers are being misled.
“We give compensation for use of land, not for acquiring land. The compensation is given to landowners to ensure that they do not dig any ditch over the pipeline passing through their land. The work is being done under provisions of petroleum and mineral pipeline (P & MP) Act 1962,” the site engineer, who requested not to use his name, said.
On which Lakra said: “The compensation amount is not up to mark as the land which GAIL used for laying pipeline cannot be used for any construction work and the area where the pipe is being laid the market rate of land is not less than Rs 2 lakh per decimal. Even if the compensation is being given for use of the land it is not fair.”
