Srinagar, Dec 06 (KNO): The Ministry of Defence sanctioned the acquisition of land in Budgam in 2011 at an estimated cost of Rs 234.25 crore, with Rs 181.54 crore already deposited for landowners' compensation, Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.
According to details obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the MoD said this while responding to a query raised by Member Parliament, Aga Ruhullah Mehdi regarding compensation for land acquired in 2011-2012 at Karewa Damodar, near Srinagar airport, affecting nearly 600 families.
It said the acquisition, valued at an estimated cost of Rs 234.25 crore, was approved on March 4, 2011. "As of now, Rs. 181.54 crore has already been deposited by the Defense Estates Office Srinagar with the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam for the release of compensation to the affected landowners," the government said.
"However, discrepancies were found in the area of acquired land mentioned in the Form J Notification issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Government under the J&K Requisitioning and Acquisition of Immovable Property (RAIP) Act, 1968. The acquired land on the ground was found to be less than what was reflected in the notification," it added.
The MoD said the Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE) has requested the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to amend the notification accordingly. The compensation award will be processed once the necessary amendments are made to the Form J Notification, it added.
The ministry further clarified that there is no provision to reassess compensation under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, as the land has already been acquired under the J&K RAIP Act, 1968—(KNO)