Speaking on the occasion, the DC said that land acquisition is a compulsory process and one who owns land under the prescribed frontiers cannot skip it.
Compensation
The Government of India has decided to build Strategic Crude Oil Reserve of 5 MMT thorough a special purpose vehicle. The structure would be underground rock caverns and concrete structures. The proposed rates for the acquisition of dry land is Rs 4.5 lakh per acre. However, 30 per cent additional charges will be given as compensation. Crop value will be estimated separately. Regular package of compensation would be accompanied with employment opportunities to at least one member in the family that gives their lands, she added.
The DC promised maximum concern to the surrounding structures of the project. However, in case of a damage, it will be compensated, she added. She informed that the person who sells land should update the RTC, or else he would not be liable for the compensation.
The land losers of the project had their own demands for lending their land for energy and security concerns of the country. Most of them urged for a compensation of at least Rs 25,000 per cent of land. Lakha Poojary from Bhoo Santhrasthara Samithi demanded that the land value should be based on the existing market value.
Agriculture and non-agriculture lands should be valued accordingly. The victims should be compensated in a profitable way, he added.
Issues of environmental concerns were also raised in the meet. The land losers demanded that social justice and not just economic justice should be taken into consideration. Demands were also made for the compensation packages similar to the other two project areas in India, Vishakapatnam and Mangalore.
Project area
As many as 140 acres of land has been earmarked for the purpose in Padur and Herur Gram Panchayaths. Preliminary notification has been issued, and the final notification will be issued shortly. About 57 families will be affected by the land acquisition. Nearly 9 houses and 1 semi structure comes under the targeted land frontiers.
The cadastral pipeline route survey at Padur is nearing completion.
The construction of the proposed strategic storage facilities is being managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Ltd (ISPRL), a special purpose vehicle owned by Oil Industry Development Board.
Zilla Panchayat President Gladys Almeida, KIADB Assistant Development Officer B S Ravi, Special Land Acquisition Officer Krishnamurthy, ISPRL Senior Manger Ahuja, Veerbhadra Rao and others took part in the meet.