Peren, January 19 (MExN): The public of Peren town have extended support to the memorandum of Zeliangrong Baudi Nagaland and Zeme Council Nagaland dated January 15 citing grievances caused due to alleged alteration made to NH-129A package 1A.
A representation appended by Pingkam Namdau “for and on behalf of the public of Peren town” on the NH-129A package 1A, 2-lane road from Peren to Dimapur was submitted today to Nagaland Commissioner through the Deputy Commissioner, Peren.
It highlighted that the long-cherished dream of witnessing a NH passing across Peren district relatively came true when MoRTH, GoI accorded sanction for construction of a 2-lane highway connecting Maram-Peren-Dimapur section of NH-129A (Manipur-Nagaland).
The tendering process for package 1A of the project which passes through Peren town concluded and work order was issued to M/s Mayasheel Construction- JPS Projects Pvt Ltd. Compensation for damages caused to horticulture, agriculture and forest land has been paid to the concerned landowners by Peren district administration and only the payment of compensation for damages to standing structures is pending, it maintained.
“As we understand, the earlier compensation amount submitted by Peren district administration for standing structures under Peren town settlement area was too high and the same had to be reviewed twice,” it said while adding that in the latest review, RoW had to be compromised to rationalize compensation amount purportedly as per suggestion of Chief Engineer, NH and NHIDCL.
Consequently, Peren district administration submitted the revised compensation details vide DC Peren letter dated January 13 recommending a total of 121 compensation cases amounting to Rs14,08,07,539 for damages to standing structures. Out of the total amount, compensation for standing structures was projected at Rs13,60,45,932,
dministrative costs of 2.5% amounting to Rs34,01,148 and a contingency amount of 1% amounting to Rs 13,60,459.
In this concern, the representation alleged that “Peren district administration in connivance with few public leaders of Peren town had taken biased, unjust and arbitrary decision in formulating the said revised compensation details and the same was forwarded to your authority counter-signed by DC Peren, SDO PWD (Housing) and President of Peren Town Ward Chairmen Union.”
It also reported that the revised compensation details were assessed considering the width of the 2-lane NH at 12-14 mtrs instead of 18-20 mtrs. “This was carried out without consulting the concern stakeholders and has deeply hurt the sentiments of the general populace. It has not only deprived the compensation rights of several landowners but also downgraded the anticipated 2-lane NH to an ordinary single lane road.”
The public also asserted that “Peren Town Ward Chairmen Union or for that matter, no CSOs or CBOs had ever given its consent or approval for assessment of damage compensation to standing structures considering 12/14 mtrs as the width of the NH.”
“As such, any endorsement given by the President of Peren Town Ward Chairmen Union or any other individual for that matter is a result of their personal judgment and thus, does not carry the voice of neither Peren Town Ward Chairmen Union or the public of Peren town,” it added.
Landowners had cooperated with Peren district administration from the start to assess damages, as per laid down norms and guidelines, for payment of compensation notified vide DC Peren notification dated September 1, 2020. From day one all possible support was rendered, and no owner of any Standing Structures had refused to part land for construction of a 2-lane NH with 18-20 mtrs width.
However, it said that “the responsiveness and approachability of Peren town denizens was mistaken for weakness and Peren district administration in connivance with few leaders of Peren town, as stated, went ahead with submission of the revised compensation details to your authority reportedly via email on January 13 and through regular office delivery on January 14.”
The public expressed that “the demand of landowners stands beyond the specified entitlement; Peren district administration is responsible for negotiating the rate of compensation as per norms/guidelines instead of compromising the specification of the road. The project was accorded sanction by GoI as per DPR submitted for construction of a 2-lane NH and there is no valid purpose as to why the width or length of the 2-lane NH should be distorted without the consent and knowledge of the concerned stakeholders.”
Therefore, it called upon the Nagaland Commissioner to nullify/invalidate the revised compensation details submitted to you vide DC, Peren letter dated January 13 and accordingly, issue direction for review of compensation for damages to standing structures considering 18-20 mtrs as the width for the upcoming NH-129A Package 1A.
Along with the representation, the meeting minutes of consultative meeting held at GB Hall, Peren Town on January 17 along with list of attendees was also submitted today.
