Four lanes affected people submits 14 points demand letter to President

Seeking  adequate compensation of land under Factor 2 formula and  removing alleged irregularities in land acquired for four lane and other mega projects Land Acquisition Affected Forum sent a 14-point demand letter to the President Daropti Murmur, State President of LAAF, BR Kaundal told us today.He said that demand letter was submitted  to  National Highway Authority of India Regional Officer Abdul Basit on Friday. He said that they were waging a battle with the local authority as proper compensation were not paid to thousands of affected  in lieu of acquisition of their land mainly for four lane or other projects. He said that affected people are seeking four times compensation of market rate however Administeration and Governmet agencies are indulged irregularities, inequalities and discrimination in land acquisition process. He said that  affected people were forced to face letigations due to the mistakes and discriminatory attitude of the NHAI and the administrative officials. Kaundal said that around five thousand cases and appeals are pending in the court of divisional commissioner and other courts. He said that injustice was being matted with  the affected people who are now forced to spend lakhs of rupees in the imposed litigation to seek justice.  Kaundal accused NHAI of rampant corruption at the grassroots level.  Even surveys are being changed to give benefits to political pressure and influential people.  He said that the retired officers who have been appointed for land acquisition are engrossed in rampant corruption and openly demand bribe from the people.  He also demanded the removal of such officers.

 President of Himachal Kisan Sabha, Dr. Kuldeep Singh Tanwar said that people have lost faith in NHAI and they have given up hope of any kind of justice from it.   Dr. Tanwar said that at present the Regional Officers and Project a delegation of affected farmers made a demand before the Regional Officer Abdul Basit that the process of grievance redressal should be started at the district level so that people do not suffer.  Mr. Abdul Basit agreed to this proposal.

 Dr. Tanwar also raised the issue of damage caused by debris from Ambala Shimla National Highway 5 at Chamiyana and Malyan on Shoghi-Dhali bypass( outskirt of Shimla) before the Regional Officer.  In this, the regional officer assured that soon this road would be repaired.  Regional Officer said that 25 crore has been released for this.