ITANAGAR, Jun 23: The East Kameng Social Welfare and Cultural Organisation (EKSWCO) has urged the State Government to ensure uniform compensation rates for land, trees, crops and other affected properties under Packages 1 to 5 of the Lada-Sarli Frontier Highway project in East Kameng district.
In a representation submitted to the Commissioner of Land Management on Monday, the Organisation alleged significant disparities in compensation rates between East Kameng and neighbouring districts such as Kurung Kumey and Bichom despite similar topographical conditions and the nature of land acquisition.
While appreciating the government’s ongoing re-verification and recovery exercise aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in compensation payments, EKSWCO expressed concern that beneficiaries in East Kameng were reportedly receiving substantially lower compensation for identical assets.
Citing an example, the Organisation claimed that compensation for one unit of Tasha (Rambang) had reportedly been fixed at Rs 7,500 in Koloriang (Kurung Kumey) and Bichom districts, while beneficiaries in East Kameng were receiving only Rs 1,500 for the same category.
Describing the disparity as arbitrary and discriminatory, EKSWCO said affected landowners in East Kameng should not be subjected to lower compensation rates when the project, terrain and nature of acquisition and affected assets were comparable to those in adjoining districts.
The Organisation urged the department to review the matter and extend the compensation rates applicable in neighbouring districts uniformly to all beneficiaries under Packages 1 to 5 of the Frontier Highway project in East Kameng.
EKSWCO also sought corrective measures within 15 days of receipt of the representation. The Organisation warned that if the issue remained unresolved within the stipulated period, it would be compelled to explore legal remedies to safeguard the interests of affected beneficiaries.
The representation was signed by EKSWCO’s issue chairman Chopa Cheda and members Anil Rebe, Tutu Dolo and Kumar Sonam.