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| Affected farmers pin hopes on elected BJP MPs | | Land acquisition for Ring Road | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, May 25: The affected Jammu farmers of Ring Road project have pinned their hopes on the newly elected MPs who want them to take up the matter with the centre.
During his visit on May 19, last year , Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated several infrastructural projects in J&K . PM who was on a two-day visit to the state last year laid foundation stones for Srinagar and Jammu ring roads projects. Modi inaugurated the Srinagar ring road project at Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) Srinagar while as the foundation stone for the Jammu ring road project was laid at General Zorawar Singh Auditorium in the University of Jammu. The Union transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and the then Chief Minister (CM) Mehbooba Mufti were also present on the occasion.
Jammu ring road project in particular is marred by chaos and confusion, with the result the work on the project is going on at snails pace. There are multiple reasons for this delay. Farmers affected by the Ring Road projects in Jammu, Budgam and Srinagar districts had been protesting over the issue as the compensation that NHAI was paying to them was far less than the market rate of land. From last almost 6 months the process of payment of compensation has been stalled and not even a single kilometer of the work from Pampore to Ganderbal via Budgam has been taken up. Situation is very bad in Jammu as well where farmers are paid 5 to 10 times less compensation than the market value of their land especially in R S Pura, Bishnah and Marh tehsils.
"It seems Governor administration is not ready to address the grievances of affected farmers with the result both the Ring Road projects in Kashmir valley and Jammu are almost in a state of suspended animation. We have high hopes with newly elected MPs of Jammu as BJP leaders during election campaign have assured us that matter would be addressed once they comes to power at Centre. It is the time to fulfil the promise. We want similar treatment be given to us like affected farmers get in other states under central land acquisition law " said S C Dubey leader of Ring road Kisan Sangharsh Samiti Jammu while talking to Early Times.
Dubey said that aggrieved farmers have every right to know how much compensation has been paid to similarly situated fellow farmers in order to project their own case for grant of enhanced compensation ? He alleged that Horticulture Department has also made vague assessments of fruit trees coming under Ring Road alignment.
It is worthwhile to mention that across Jammu & Kashmir affected farmers are crying for payment of fair compensation and rehabilitation as per central land acquisition law (RTFCLARR 2013). Last year in Budgam district some awards were prepared as per the market value of land and compensation was paid to many farmers ( around 40 to 50 % ) but after the Governor’s rule, rest of the awards were prepared as per the stamp rate which is 3 to 4 times less.
"How can Government pay compensation 3 times or more to a group of farmers and a large number of similarly situated farmers are kept waiting and forced to take 3 to 4 times less compensation " said G A Paul leader of affected farmers in Kashmir
Pertinently in Jammu district there is a huge disparity between market rate and stamp duty rate. In some areas like Malikpura, Marh, Kangrail and other villages, the market value of land in 10 to 15 times more than the stamp duty rate. Farmers are forced to accept very meager amount as compensation. Farmers tried to persuade Government at highest level. They met with Chief Secretary twice.
"Why can't Governor plead the case of affected farmers of J&K especially those affected by Ring Road project? Why is there is a disparity in payment of compensation to farmers in J&K and other states? Why shall an 85 year old obsolete law be enforced on farmers of J&K . Now BJP has come to power in Centre, we hope MPs from Jammu will take up the issue of aggrieved farmers with Home Minister and ensure central land acquisition law is extended to J&K or J&K Government enacts a similar law after seeking accent from President of India " said Harbans Singh an affected farmer of Malikpura district Jammu |
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