Villagers seek compensation hike

CHANDIGARH, June 8: A delegation of Gram Sangharsh Samiti comprising representatives of various UT villages, led by former Union Minister Venod Sharma, called on UT Administrator B.K.N. Chhibber, here today and apprised him of the problems and demands of rural people. A memorandum highlighting the demands of villagers was also presented to the Administrator, who assured of looking into them.

Among the demands put forth by the Sangharsh Samiti included enhancement in compensation to the tune of Rs 15 lakh per acre for land acquired by the Administration on Delhi pattern and allotment of plots in lieu of acquired land besides reduction in registration fee from 12.5 per cent to 6 per cent as in Punjab.

Steps to improve education in village schools, which are in a bad shape, have also been called for besides steps for catering to the problem of acute shortage of electricity and water in rural areas.

The villagers have also demanded early schedule for panchayat elections, besides elections to the Panchayat Samiti, Block Samiti and Zila Parishad. Shifting of milk dairies outside the villages and early repairs of rural roads was also called for.