Assessment for fruit trees not made public, farmers in dark

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Assessment for fruit trees not made public, farmers in dark

Land Acquisition for Ring, Semi Ring Roads

2/23/2018 11:34:50 PM

Early Times Report

Jammu, Feb 23: Farmers and orchardists whose fruit bearing trees are to be cut down during construction of alternate highways in Srinagar and Jammu have alleged that officials of Horticulture and Revenue Departments have kept most of the farmers in unaware of the assessment made by the officials as it has not been made public.
The officials have not informed the affected farmers about the compensation they are entitled to , nor have the farmers been given copies of the said assessment.
Details available with Early Times reveal that farmers especially the orchardists whose mango, apple, pear, plum and other trees are to be axed have alleged that assessment made by the Horticulture department is not been made public via local press or official websites of Directorate of Horticulture Jammu and Kashmir.
"I don't know what kind of assessment has been made by the department, I am not aware how many fruit bearing trees will be axed in my orchard? I don't know whether the assessment is right or wrong? We are being kept in dark. Govt should have made these details public district wise through Urdu, Hindi and English newspapers " said Nazir Ahmad a farmer from Budgam district.
Collector Land Acquisition Kathua, Samba, Jmamu Budgam, Srinagar & Pulwama as per reports have started disbursing the compensation money to affected orchardists of while as the revised rates are yet to be finalized.
After almost 22 years Government decided to revise the rates for compensation provided in lieu of fruit trees which are to be cut down during the process of Land Acquisition.
As on date the compensation is provided as per 1995 rates which is Rs 16 / Kg for apple and more of less for other fruits like mango, pear, apricot, plum etc. Government through Department of Horticulture had recently constituted a committee which was to submit report to administrative department by January 1st week, but till date the report hasn't been submitted and rates are yet to be revised.
On the other hand farmers are given compensation which is very less than the market rate.
As reported already farmers whose land is to be acquired by National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for construction of ring and semi ring roads in Jammu / Kashmir regions are not only aghast against the Government for being paid very less compensation ie stamp rate of area plus 15 % solatium (jabirana). Farmers are planning a state wide agitation over the issue.
"Government pays compensation @ Rs 16 per KG for apple tree / Mango which is to be cut down and the assessment is made by Horticulture Department.
Now it has been decided by the constituted committee that compensation may be doubled, but when shall the compensation on revised rates be paid to us? "said Fayaz Ahmad Wani from Ranbir Garh Srinagar.
"Apple sells @ Rs 50 to 70 /Kg in wholesale market and it is sheer injustice with us if we are paid mere Rs 16 / Kg. I appeal Horticulture Minister Basharat Bukhari and Secretary Horticulture to come to our rescue. Injustice is being done with farmers and orchardists, " Khan added.

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