Collector seeks release of land compensation
JHARSUGUDA: Collector Bibhuti Bhusan Patnaik has asked the Idco to release the compensation amount of Rs 23 crore to land oustees of Gudigaon under Kolabira tehsil in the district.
In a letter to Chief Managing Director (CMD) of Idco recently, the Collector said if the compensation amount is not paid to the oustees within the time limit, the district administration will be forced to return their land.
A report in this regard has also been sent to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) for intervention.
Sources said in 2006, the Idco had acquired 405.15 acres of land in Gudigaon village for setting up new industries. Rates were fixed for different types of land starting from Rs 60,000 to Rs 6.05 lakh per acre.
Accordingly, Rs 12,88,89,532 was deposited by Idco with the Special Land Acquisition Office (SLAO).
Later in 2014, the price was increased to Rs 6.15 lakh per acre, including compensation and other dues. After evaluation, the compensation amount was calculated at Rs 46,89,9,494 while Idco had deposited only Rs 19,10,70,32 with the SLAO. Till date, rest Rs 23 crore compensation amount has not been deposited by Idco.
Meanwhile, land owners of the village have demanded that per acre land valuation be hiked. They said while the Railways is paying a compensation of more than Rs 20 lakh per acre to land oustees, Idco is paying a meagre amount of Rs 6.15 lakh per acre.