Dimapur, November 14 (MExN): The deadlock over land compensation rates, to be paid to landowners for the proposed Dimapur-Kohima railway link, seems to be thawing. A number of villages – on whose land the link probably would pass through – are agreeing to the government’s rate. However, the issue is far from resolved as a section of the “affected landowners” are still demanding Rs. 60 per square feet.
Railway compensation rate remains unresolved
The government of Nagaland represented by Member of Legislative Assembly Azheto Zhimomi and the district administration of Dimapur led by Deputy Commissioner N Husheli Sema met today with leaders of villages and landowners today. The meeting was held in the conference hall of the district’s Deputy Commissioner.
A visibly exasperated Azheto Zhimomi commenced the proceedings with the statement that the issue at hand continues, since 2008, with no compromise in sight. He reiterated that the landowners’ demand for Rs. 60 per square feet of land is exorbitant by any standard and far beyond the Centre’s standard rate of Rs. 25 per square feet. He reminded that nowhere in India in any state or province does a “Rs. 60 per square feet” exist. Terming the demand “abnormally high” as stated earlier by the Centre.
‘The government cannot give Rs. 60 per square feet. If the demand stands, the project might be dropped; feels like the project may be abandoned,’ the MLA said in ‘Nagamese’ to the gathered villagers. He cited instances of land rate in Manipur and Mizoram.
While others stood adamant on their demand, a number of villages from Dhansiripar, Pimla and Shokuvi agreed to take whatever the government rate is. Leaders from these areas said development of the entire state and people cannot be hampered over the question of compensation or money.
Speaking for their respective villages the leaders said nobody can impose a decision on another village or area.
“We cannot speak for other villages but for us, we would accept whatever the government gives us. If we look for money we won’t have development. We will take what the government rate is,” a leader from Shokuvi said (in ‘Nagamese’).
There were also sections of the “affected villages” who stood adamant by their demand to be Rs. 60 per square feet. Concluding the meeting, the government has asked them to come up with a resolution by November 20 and meet again.
On November 11 earlier, government officials and landowners in Dimapur met concerning the proposed Dimapur-to-Kohima railway-link. The meeting also ended in a deadlock after the sides failed to reach an agreement over land compensation rates.
The government has suggested to the landowners a rate of Rs. 25 per square feet for residential areas, Rs. 10 per square feet for paddy fields and a separate rate for damaged properties.
Railway compensation rate remains unresolved
The government of Nagaland represented by Member of Legislative Assembly Azheto Zhimomi and the district administration of Dimapur led by Deputy Commissioner N Husheli Sema met today with leaders of villages and landowners today. The meeting was held in the conference hall of the district’s Deputy Commissioner.
A visibly exasperated Azheto Zhimomi commenced the proceedings with the statement that the issue at hand continues, since 2008, with no compromise in sight. He reiterated that the landowners’ demand for Rs. 60 per square feet of land is exorbitant by any standard and far beyond the Centre’s standard rate of Rs. 25 per square feet. He reminded that nowhere in India in any state or province does a “Rs. 60 per square feet” exist. Terming the demand “abnormally high” as stated earlier by the Centre.
‘The government cannot give Rs. 60 per square feet. If the demand stands, the project might be dropped; feels like the project may be abandoned,’ the MLA said in ‘Nagamese’ to the gathered villagers. He cited instances of land rate in Manipur and Mizoram.
While others stood adamant on their demand, a number of villages from Dhansiripar, Pimla and Shokuvi agreed to take whatever the government rate is. Leaders from these areas said development of the entire state and people cannot be hampered over the question of compensation or money.
Speaking for their respective villages the leaders said nobody can impose a decision on another village or area.
“We cannot speak for other villages but for us, we would accept whatever the government gives us. If we look for money we won’t have development. We will take what the government rate is,” a leader from Shokuvi said (in ‘Nagamese’).
There were also sections of the “affected villages” who stood adamant by their demand to be Rs. 60 per square feet. Concluding the meeting, the government has asked them to come up with a resolution by November 20 and meet again.
On November 11 earlier, government officials and landowners in Dimapur met concerning the proposed Dimapur-to-Kohima railway-link. The meeting also ended in a deadlock after the sides failed to reach an agreement over land compensation rates.
The government has suggested to the landowners a rate of Rs. 25 per square feet for residential areas, Rs. 10 per square feet for paddy fields and a separate rate for damaged properties.
