The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has provided overdue relief to landowners in Basohli town, which was submerged due to the construction of the Ranjit Sagar Dam. The court directed the UT Government to compensate the landowners, including statutory interest at a rate of 6 percent per annum, for the compensation that had been unlawfully withheld. An award was issued in 1997 for compensation related to the land and residential houses taken over by the Collector of Land Acquisition for the Ranjit Sagar Dam Authorities in Punjab. While compensation for acquired lands and houses was paid to the petitioners, compensation for Shamlat Deh land in Basohli town, which was submerged by the dam, remained unpaid.
It is an important issue regarding compensation for landowners, as compensation is not just a legal requirement but also a moral obligation to support affected families, who are often displaced due to Government projects. Displaced families face significant economic hardships as they are uprooted from their homes and communities. Compensation is vital to help them rebuild their lives in a new location. Prolonged disputes and delays like this can discourage landowners from willingly participating in future development projects, hindering overall progress and infrastructure development. Delayed compensation can impact not only the current landowners but also their descendants, creating a cycle of frustration and mistrust.
Practically, providing timely and fair compensation to landowners is essential for equitable development and preventing unnecessary delays and disputes. Decades of delay can never be justified on any account. It is a responsibility that authorities must fulfil to ensure the welfare of affected families and to maintain a conducive environment for future development projects.
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