Punjab’s bounty to cost Rs 500 cr

Shocked over the offer,which they disapproved,the senior officials of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and the Housing and Urban Development Department have refused to bear the burden,citing no such budget provisions. In this case,the government’s move to bury the hatchet with a handful of farmers is likely to put the burden on the allottees,who were already suffering since the launch of the urban estate in Sector 76-80 in 2001.

A senior official says if the government goes ahead,the hike in original allotment rate of Rs 3,750 per square yard remains the only resort to cope with the huge financial implications. Moreover,the government’s bid to appease the handful of farmers is likely to further compound the litigation as it has not gone down well with the owners of the acquired over 1,100 acres who had accepted the monetary compensation,and the allottees of residential plots.

Those who were paid compensation of Rs 32 lakh per acre have called this move “discriminatory”,against which they have threatened to adopt legal recourse. “What is our fault? We are law abiding and accepted whatever government offered us?” says Karam Singh. Another landowner,Jagir Singh,says,“How the government can adopt two policies for acquisition in a single project.” “It means that from now onwards,no farmer should accept government compensation and instead prefer litigation,” says Karnail Singh.

Sucha Singh Kalor,president of the Sector 76-80 Plot Allotments Sangharsh Committee,says,“No allottee will bear any extra cost. People with vested interests are at work.”

“The government has already filed affidavits in the courts,agreeing not to enhance original allotment rates,and if it takes a U-turn,we will protest,” says committee’s media adviser Paramdeep Singh.

Justifying the move,BS Baidwan,general secretary of Kisan Hit Bachao Committee,says the government offer will pave way for the allotment of remaining plots,stalled for the past eight years.