SHILLONG: Refuting the allegation of the landowners that they are yet to receive the compensation money for the land they had parted with for expansion of Umroi airport, the state government has said Rs.44,89,00,000 has been disbursed among the landowners.
Reacting to a news report appeared a section of the Press, the Principal Secretary of the Transport Department
in a statement clarified that Government had sanctioned Rs.55,97,32,146 to the Deputy Commissioner, Ri-Bhoi, from the State Budget. Out of this amount, the Deputy Commissioner disbursed Rs.44,89,00,000 to the land owners and the balance amount of Rs 5,40,63,429 is available with the Deputy Commissioner.
The Government also clarified that a Supplementary proposal for Land Acquisition around Umroi airport amounting to Rs.11,44,03,177 was submitted by the Deputy Commissioner Ri Bhoi which after examination was referred back by the Government to the DC to submit the Land Acquisition proposal according to the provision of Land Acquisition Act, 1894 and to re-submit fresh Supplementary Award for inclusion of the amount payable on account of re-classification of land.
It may be mentioned that the land owners have refused to part with their land for the project owing to the delay in releasing the compensation amount .
The statement said that Government has taken up the task of acquiring the additional area of 258 acres of land around the airport to accommodate facilities for the landing of bigger aircrafts. An area of 192.253 acres was acquired by the State Government and the same was handed over to the Airport Authority of India on November 26, 2010.