Mandi NH 4-laning: Residents object to declaration form

Nurpur, April 18

The Pathankot-Mandi Four Lane Lok Body of Nurpur section — the organistaion of persons who will be displaced by the widening of National Highway 154 — has objected to the Competent Authority for Land Acquisition’s (CALA) decision where persons being compensated will have to submit a declaration form mentioning the time period in which they have to vacate the property.

Nurpur Sub-Divisonal Magistrate, who also heads the CALA, Anil Bhardwaj said persons being displaced in the project had to mention in the declaration form that within 60 days that they would vacate the building after receiving compensation.

Meanwhile, President of the lok body, Rajesh Pathania, said no such declaration forms and undertakings were being taken in similar projects anywhere in the state. The CALA had provided inadequate time limit for vacating the premises of affected buildings, he added.

Pathania said basic compensation rate worth Rs 8,000 to 19,000 per square metre would be given to those who will be affected in Nurpur section. “The compensation provided will not be enough to buy or construct new houses or commercial buildings. As many as 1,000 persons will be affected in the Nurpur section. As the compensation is very less they will not be able to rehabilitate properly,” he said.

He appealed to the state government to adopt a humanitarian approach for their rehabilitation.

The SDM has said relaxation in the vacation period will be provided in

special cases.