Mohali airport: farmers demand heavy compensation

The effort to acquire 269.52 acres of land in Ballomajra,Baliali,Desumajra and Fatehullapur has turned out to be the most difficult task for the GMADA.

The residents of 9.52 acres,mostly in the inhabited area in Desumajra and Fatehullapur villages,are up in arms against the proposed acquisition. They have resolved not to part with the land at any cost.

The farmers of the rest of the land,mostly agricultural,are demanding a whopping compensation ranging between Rs 8 to 25 crore per acre. This has come as a shock for the acquisition agency.

The aggrieved residents of Desumajra and Fatehullapur,under the banner of Gulmohar Residents Welfare Society,have raised a banner of revolt against any further step to acquire their land,where they have raised houses and shops. These villages are under the Kharar Municipal Council.

Residents argue that they had got their building plans approved from the civic body,paid hefty development charges,and spent much on their houses and shops. In their objections filed with the GMADA Land Acquisition Officer,Society president Rajvinder Singh and general secretary PPS Randhawa have pointed out various shortcomings in the notification. The society members have argued that if GMADA acquires this land,they will be rendered homeless and unemployed.

The farmers of Ballomajra and Baliali villages are citing the recent land sale registration deeds to demand whopping compensation rates for their agricultural land.

Pleading their case,Kharar MLA Balbir Sidhu has advocated a minimum of Rs 8 crore per acre compensation for agricultural land,and Rs 15 lakh per marla for inhabited land falling within the ‘red line’.

For the land within municipal limits,the MLA has demanded Rs 15,000 per square yard for residential land,and Rs 1-1.5 lakh per square yard for commercial areas.

“We will not allow the acquisition until the prevailing market rates are paid to landowners. No forcible acquisition will be allowed at any cost,” threatened the MLA.

In view of these high demands,no decision could be taken at the meeting of the District Level Land Price Fixation Committee. The meeting was adjourned,and the next date has not been fixed yet.