Amidst the claims of providing adequate compensation to oustees of Chandigarh-Manali National Highway, the affected persons of Kullu district have urged the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to fulfill poll promise providing them 4-times compensation.
The affected alleged they were being provided less compensation than prescribed in 2013 Land Acquisition Act and further, the other rules were also not being followed while do so.
Fourlane Sangharsh Samiti chief Khushal Thakur said the area from Nagchala in Kullu to Manali has almost been taken over by the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) but the affected were still not being provided land for rehabilitation.
“Under the Land Acquisition Act, there was provision for providing land for landless, houses for homeless, employment opportunities and monetary compensation. But keep aside these promises, the affected persons have not been identified as yet,” Thakur said.
On the other hand, the Himachal Pradesh government’s 2015 decision in which factor-1 was applied for land acquisition which was again against the new Act.
The compensation for acquired land was to be granted as per the new rules and NHAI had to bear 10 per cent cost but the government didn’t implemented these.
Instead the authorities were providing compensation as per 2014 rates and not taking into account the prevalent land rates, ascertained by the Public Works Department. He said in Kullu and Mandi districts, the award for houses was being granted at an interest rate of 12 per cent and even this was being stopped, resulting in loss worth crore of rupees.
Besides, the construction of highway is marred by poor quality and unscientific construction which is forcing the several others to live under the fear, he said. He added the affected persons would decide the future course of action on the issue on 27 August and decide further action.