GMADA owes panchayats Rs 65 cr against acquired land
Monday, 28/10/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131028/punjab.htm#6
Chandigarh : The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) owes the Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Department Rs 65 crore in lieu of the land acquired in over two dozen villages. Various reminders to the authorities for the payments have proved futile to date.
Fed up with the wait, the panchayats have decided to approach the Vigilance Bureau to get the matter investigated as to why they were not being compensated.
One such resolution was passed by the panchayat of Bharaunjia village near New Chandigarh on September 18. The GMADA owes it Rs 4.37 crore. While the Authority has stopped responding to written communications from the Panchayat Department, a letter from the minister concerned, Surjit Singh Rakhra, too proved to be of little help.
This despite GMADA has having kept Rs 40 crore in the Treasury and Rs 25 crore in its own account for the purpose. The GMADA had acquired land of about three dozen villages in the periphery of Mohali. Some of it was even privately owned. But instead of compensating the panchayats, the GMADA either took the matter to the courts or have gone quiet on the issue.
Among the villages that are awaiting compensation are Chatt, Bakarpur, Chahu Majra, Raipur Khurd, Jheur Heri, Mauli Baidwan, Manauli, Naraingarh, Ferozepore Bangar, Saneta, Sukhgarh, Papri, Devi Nagar, Mullanpur, Sambhalaki, Patti Sohana and Saini Majra.
Officials of the Panchayat Department claimed that non-payment to panchayats was part of a “conspiracy”. They said the land acquired by GAMDA was ‘shamlat deh’ and its right could not be disputed.
Dr S Karuna Raju, Director, Rural Development and Panchayat Department, said, “We have raised the issue of non-payment against the land acquired several times but there has been no progress in the case to date.”
GMADA Chief Administrator Ajay Kumar Sinha said, “The payment has been stopped only in the cases of pending legal disputes. The money due to the panchayats is secure and will be given as soon as the legal disputes are settled.’’
