Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 12: High Court has directed the Collector Land Acquisition to perform his duty for compensation of land acquisition meant for alignment of National Highway under provisions of Right to Fair Compensation Act.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar while hearing the plea of land owners whose land is being acquired for alignment NH-444 in Pulwama district which as per the Revenue records is horticulture land and are being given lesser amount of compensation, directed the Additional Deputy Commissioner Pulwama to work out the compensation as payable to the land owners strictly as per the Revenue records.
The land in question is a big chunk of land situated in Village Gudoora Tehsil and District Pulwama and the land owners submitted that though as per recorded revenue entries the land under acquisition is Horticulture and Orchard yet the Collector Land Acquisition who has initiated the process of acquisition is treating the same as Agriculture and contemplating to pay lesser amount of compensation.
They said that they have already approached the Collector Land Acquisition by way of a representation but the Collector Land Acquisition is not listening to them nor has he so far considered and disposed of the representation.
Court after having heard the controversy involved in the matter said there is no necessity to formally admit the petition and invite reply from the respondents. Court said the Additional Deputy Commissioner Pulwama is seized of the matter and is conducting the acquisition proceeding.
Court said the apprehension of the land owners is that the Collector Land Acquisition may not act strictly as per the revenue record can be taken care of by directing the Collector Pulwama to perform his statutory duty enjoined on him under the provisions of Right to Fair Compensation Act and work out the compensation payable for acquired land strictly as per the revenue record and entries made there in.
“He shall do well to accord consideration to the representation made by the petitioners and pass appropriate orders within the ambit of law for passing his award”, court directed.
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