Rs 144 cr disbursed among landowners, only 11 Cr pending
NAVNEET DUBEY
Jammu: After the concern by opposition BJP MLAs and MLAs with areas along the border over alleged delay in disbursement of compensation to fencing landowners, chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday assured that the government would discuss issues affecting the border and LoC landowners, particularly those with properties within the border fencing area.
“After the conclusion of the ongoing budget session, the government will convene a meeting of MLAs from border areas to address the issues faced by them”, Omar said during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly.
The issue was raised during a question regarding compensation to farmers whose land was acquired by BSF along the International Border(IB) for fencing in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts in Jammu division.
BJP MLA Surjit Salathia claimed around 13 lakh kanal land has been acquired for border fencing in the border area, besides farmers are not allowed to cultivate their land beyond border fencing. He alleged that crore of rupees by way of compensation are pending with deputy commissioners for compensation.
Another BJP Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal further claimed that 15 years compensation cases are pending despite their own land. He demanded compensation to farmers bi annually who cannot cultivate their land on the other side of the fence.
MLA Hiranagar Vijay Kumar said five villages in the area have not received any compensation. A heated exchange of words also took place between Tarigami and BJP MLA Balwant Manokita, who alleged there is no border area in the constituency of the member, who is asking questions about the border areas of Jammu.
Tarigami countered him by saying he can raise questions about any area and Jammu does not belong to him alone. He pointed out the people in the border areas are living in pitiable conditions and questioned BJP for what they have done to resolve land compensation issues. “This is a humanitarian issue”.
The Chief Minister, countering the claims of huge pendency by the way of compensation stated that funds are being disbursed efficiently. Out of the Rs 155 crore received, Rs 144 crore have already been distributed among the landowners, leaving only Rs 11 crore to be released soon. While individual concerns may persist, the government is committed towards expediting the fund disbursement as efficiently as possible.
He said that the concerned department will be urged to expedite the process in this regard. “However, as one of the members pointed out, this is not merely an issue of relief but it’s a humanitarian concern. Beyond this relief, there are so many other pressing concerns affecting the people in these areas that demand our attention,” he asserted.
“I urge the members to allow the session to conclude at the earliest. Once the session ends in the first week of April, I will convene a meeting with all the members representing the border and LoC areas,” maintained the Chief Minister. We will engage in comprehensive discussions and promptly implement the necessary government actions, he added.
Earlier, replying to the main question Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, on behalf of Chief Minister, said that land measuring 13415 Kanal in 113 villages of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts in Jammu division has been acquired by the BSF for Border fencing.
