Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 25: Residents of Khanyar area today staged protests against the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar for his failure to compensate the displaced residents on time and burnt his effigy.
The residents said that their houses were dismantled for road widening and beautification of Dastigeer Sahib (RA) shrine from Nowpora Bridge to Khawaja Bazaar in old city area of Srinagar one and half year ago but were not paid the compensation so far.
The residents said that at the time of demolition drive the authorities had promised them that they would be paid Rs 10 lakh per plot per family, adding that they have been paid only Rs 5 lakh so far. They alleged that the district as well as divisional administration is pushing them to the hilt while delaying the process of payment of the pending compensation.
The Government issued order number 288-PW (R&B) of 2012 in which sanction was accorded to the enhancement of cash incentive from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh per plot per family as compensation for rehabilitation of displaced families. The enhancement was recommended by the High Level Committee (HLC) headed by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Dr Asgar Samoon and same was approved by the Cabinet vide Cabinet decision number 115/17/2012 dated 20-06-2012.
When contacted MLA Khanyar, and Minister for Rural Development and Panchyati Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar said that the delay in the payment of the pending compensation is due to the procedural wrangles. He said the compensation would be paid to the affected people as it has been approved by the Cabinet, adding that people should be patient in this respect. The residents had also met Sagar who assured them that it will be paid them soon.
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