COMPENSATION TO FARMERS
LOK SABHA
The Defence
Forces have not acquired any land of the farmers along the line
of Control and International Border in connection with current
mobilization of the troops in the border areas. However, Armed
Forces have temporarily occupied lands in the border areas for
operational purposes in connection with current mobilization of
the troops in such areas. Ministry of Defence have already decided
to pay ex-gratia compensation to the people/farmers for the damages
occurred to their crops during the preparatory stage of defensive
preparations/movement of Armed Forces in the border areas of the
States of the J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan & Gujarat and pay
rental compensation for the lands occupied. For this purpose,
Board of Officers have been ordered by the Army Authorities to
conduct joint surveys in association with the representatives
of Director General of Defence Estates and Local Revenue Authorities
to assess the damages occurred to crops and the land occupied
by the Armed Forces . The details of lands under occupation of
Armed Forces for the purpose and the damages occurred to the crops
of the farmers would be known after the joint surveys are completed.
However, in order to give
immediate relief to the farmers for the damages occurred to their
crops, a sum of Rs. 36 crores, which is 25 % of the amount projected
by the State Revenue Authorities as loss towards the crops, has
been sanctioned to the State Government of Punjab as "on
account" payment to be made to the farmers. Out of this,
about a sum of Rs. 21 crores has already been disbursed to the
affected people/farmers. Another sum of Rs. 30 crores has also
been sanctioned to the State Government of Punjab as compensation
to the damages occurred to the crops, on the recommendations of
Army HQrs.
A sum of Rs. 13.80 crores,
which is 25 % of the amount projected by the State Revenue Authorities
as loss towards the crops, has been sanctioned to the State Government
of Rajasthan as "on account" payment to be made to the
individual farmers. Out of this, a sum of Rs. 10 crores (approximately)
has been disbursed to the affected people/farmers. Similarly,
a sum of Rs. 3.75 crores, which is 25 % of the amount projected
by HQ Northern Command as loss towards the crops, has been sanctioned
to the State Government of Jammu & Kashmir as "on account"
payment to be made to the individual farmers.
The payment made to the
people/farmers will be adjusted against the final bills to be
submitted by the Board of Officers constituted for the purpose
by the Local Military Authorities.
The compensation is being
calculated on the recommendation of the state authorities. The
Government is not aware of any dissatisfaction amongst the farmers.
This information was given
by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply
to Shri Ashok N Mohol and others in Lok Sabha today.
