The district administration organised a National Highway Land Acquisition Compensation Adalat here on Saturday to recompense land owners whose land was acquired for the four-laning of National Highway 66.
People in 17 villages between Talapady to Nanthoor and Surathkal to Mulki have donated land for the national highway. A total of 25 claims were received by the authorities, of which 23 were related to arbitration settled in the DC’s court. A compensation of Rs 46 lakh was distributed in the arbitration claims while a sum of Rs 29 lakh was disbursed in other two claims, said Assistant Commissioner Dr Ashok.
Earlier, speaking to mediapersons, Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim said as many as 376 land owners had sought arbitration disputing the compensation amount. After the arbitration, the deputy commissioner – who is also the arbitrator – had ordered the enhancement of compensation in 296 cases. The enhanced amount has already been paid in 87 cases, he said.
The adalat offered an opportunity for the land owners - who have not received the compensation - to submit their claims. There are 900 land owners in 298 RTCs whose land has been acquired for the widening of National Highway.
A sum of Rs 53.62 crore, meant for payment of the compensation, is with the deputy commissioner. The Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, has directed the district administration to speed up the process to settle the compensation. The documents of the land owners will be verified and compensation will be paid. Another similar adalat will be organised to benefit the people.
‘Not happy’
Gangadhar, a garage owner at Thokkottu Junction, who has lost his two and half cents land for the road widening, is not happy with the compensation paid by the authorities. He said, “In the past, the authorities valued the land announced a compensation of Rs 3.74 lakh. As I was not happy with the compensation, I appealed in the AC court, after which, the DC enhanced the amount to 4.49 lakh.
However, I am still not happy with the amount. The land value for a cent at Thokkottu Junction is Rs 15 to 20 lakh. In such a scenario, the compensation amount should have been increased. I am planning to appeal in the court.”
Narasimha Bhandary, who has lost land for widening of the road in Jeppinamogaru, said, “The notice issued by the NHAI did not mention the survey number of the land. Now, I have to get the number from the authorities and then apply for the compensation.”
Meera Bhaskar Acharya of Thokkottu-Kapikad said she had lost nearly four cents of land, which had three shops an-d a house. She was paid a compensation of Rs 7 lakh. “I have appealed in the AC court to enhance the compensation amount,” she said.
An 88-year-old Rukkayya Moolya of Pavanje said a part of his land has been acquired for road-widening. “The well, which was the source of drinking water, no more supplies water. I want the authorities to recompense me for the house which is crumbling. As I do not have Santhathi Nakshe, I am not able to claim the compensation,” said Moolya. The official has promised to get the succession certificate within a week.
Published 11 June 2016, 18:40 IST