Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Oct 10: In order to ensure smooth execution of the developmental projects in different sectors and avoid unnecessary law and order problems, the State Cabinet today gave nod to the proposal of the Revenue Department for payment of compensation to the occupants of the structures raized unauthorizedly over the State/Shamilat (Kahcharai)/ departmental land.
The Cabinet also gave approval for amendment in the Kashmir and Jammu Universities Act, 1969 in order to insert provision of “Autonomous College”, implementation of Parnai Hydroelectric Project at an estimated cost of Rs 640.41 crore and introduction of Group Mediclaim Insurance Policy for Government Gazetted Employees.
Official sources in the General Administration Department told EXCELSIOR that in pursuant to the Cabinet decision of April 2010, both the Divisional Commissioners have been empowered to decide the cases for payment of compensation for structures unauthorisedly raised over the State land under acquisition for various public purposes on case-to-case basis.
However, the structures unauthorisedly raised on Shamilat (Kahcharai) and departmental land were not made part of the policy for payment of compensation and due to this the occupants of such structures have been creating hindrances in the execution of the projects being executed through various agencies like PMGSY authorities, PWD, Border Roads Organization, National Highway Authority of India, NHPC, JKSPDC and ERA etc.
Few months back, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir conveyed to the Government that occupants of illegal structures on Kahcharai land in Anantnag and Pulwama districts have been creating hindrance every now and then as a result of which the work on four laning of the National Highway was getting delayed at various places, sources said.
Similarly, Deputy Commissioner Ramban told the Government that since the unauthorized stake holders were not being paid any compensation as per the existing laws, on various occasions these occupants were creating law and order problems making it difficult for the executing agencies to carry forward the construction work on several projects as a result of which entire acquisition proceedings were getting adversely affected/delayed, sources informed.
“The issue was discussed in a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary on August 7, 2013 and it was felt that in the interest of expeditious execution of work on ground in respect of the projects of national importance like PMGSY and NHAI, a policy decision was required to be taken in respect of structures unauthorisedly raised on departmental/Shamilat (Kahcharai) land”, sources informed.
Accordingly, the Revenue Department prepared a proposal for payment of compensation in respect of structures on State/departmental/Shamilat (Kahcharai) land on the ground that it is in consonance with the spirit of the National Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy issued by the Union Ministry of Rural Development.
The Cabinet today accorded approval to the proposal whereby compensation will be paid to the occupants of the structures unauthorisedly raised over the State/Shamilat (Kahcharai)/ departmental land under acquisition for various projects. “The entire cost of such structures will be borne by the concerned indenting department/agency”, sources added.
“The payment of compensation will be subject to the condition that such a structure existed on the land for the last at least five years preceding the date of notification issued under Section 4(1) of the Land Acquisition Act”, sources informed.
The Cabinet also gave approval for carrying out amendment in the Kashmir and Jammu Universities Act, 1969 in order to insert provision of “Autonomous Colleges”. At present, there are only three types of colleges as defined under the Act—Affiliated College, College and Constituent College.
Following this amendment, Islamia College of Science and Commerce will be conferred status of Autonomous College. The University Grants Commission, University of Kashmir Council and Higher Education Department have already given approval to this move and the proposal seeking amendment in the Kashmir and Jammu Universities Act, 1969 for incorporating “Autonomous College” provision received Cabinet nod today.
The Cabinet also approved the proposal for introduction of Group Mediclaim Insurance Policy for J&K Government Gazetted Employees for the year 2013-14 to 2015-16, negotiated with M/s ICICI Lombard GIC Pvt Ltd, for insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh per family unit on floater basis against a total payable premium per employee of Rs 6081 per annum.
The policy for the Gazetted employees will be introduced on mandatory basis without any component of subsidy, on pilot basis. The other categories of employees can also opt for the policy in case any sizeable group from any Government Department/ Corporation desirous to join the policy at a later stage on the same premium as well as the terms and conditions.
The cases involving expenditure beyond Rs 5.00 lakh will continue to be governed by the existing J&K Medical Attendance cum Allowance Rules. An employee, who retires from the active Government service after the commencement of the Policy will continue to be covered under the Insurance Scheme for the remaining period of three years on the same terms and conditions.
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