From Biplab Kr Dey
PHULBARI, July 10: Many land losers in the New Bhaitbari area under West Garo Hills (WGH) have complained of unfair compensation being provided for land earmarked by PWD–Building authorities for acquisition.
The new national highway will begin from the upcoming Dhubri-Phulbari bridge, move through Gopalthan and connect with several parts of the AMPT road before joining the NH-51 at Goeragre.
Here is a ground report from a few of the land losers who came forward to share their plight.
Sofiur Rehman (New Bhaitbari)
The former MDC’s house near New Bhaitbari Bazaar is set to lose most of its structure along with trees and a retaining wall marking his land boundary.
Rehman will lose about 1 katha of land and a major portion of his house, with the remaining section likely unusable after the highway construction.
His compensation: Rs 22,000 for the land and Rs 28,000 for his house, wall, trees and boundary structures, which, after multiplication, amounts to just over Rs 1 lakh.
“My amount for land valuation is around Rs 22,000 and Rs 29,000 for the building. When I checked, the amount did not match. The amount is not even enough for one pillar of mine. So I filed an RTI with CALA, of which the Deputy Commissioner is the chairman. The RTI stated that they were using the notification of 2016. As per the 2013 Act passed by Parliament, the land valuation should be the present market value (the date of notification by MoRTH),” stated Rehman.
He said he had requested the authorities (DC and PWD) to conduct a magisterial inquiry to identify the affected persons.
“There are cases where people with very little land are getting Rs 30-40 lakhs whereas some with huge lands, including buildings, are not getting Rs 20 lakhs. I think there is misplaced estimation. Semi-pucca houses are getting Rs 40 lakhs, but RCC structures are getting Rs 20 lakhs. I don’t know if it’s a mistake or deliberate, but an inquiry is necessary. They should rectify this, and proper compensation should be paid after verification,” felt the former MDC.
Surat Zaman
Zaman is set to lose over three kathas of land to the expansion of NH-217, which will run through his fish pond, three houses and over 50 trees on his property. He is being compensated only Rs 5 lakhs for the land and Rs 18 lakhs for the destruction of his houses, trees and fish pond. His land, classified as first-class homestead, reportedly has a current market value of around Rs 1 crore per bigha in New Bhaitbari.
“The amount they earmarked for me is going to ruin me. I have written complaints to the Fishery department, the DC and others but received no response. An inquiry was conducted, but nothing came out in the second list. I am losing three houses and my fishery. I will not agree to the compensation until it is rectified,” said Zaman.
A local resident pointed out a house constructed entirely of tin, where the owner is set to lose less than a katha of land but is being compensated Rs 60 lakhs. However, this claim could not be independently verified.
Mofizur Rehman
Rehman, who owns a house and two shops (a hotel and a spare parts shop), is losing about 2 kattas of land and the two shops. He is being offered compensation of only Rs 6.74 lakhs for his entire loss.
“The market value of land is more than Rs 1 crore, but I have been offered only Rs 6.74 lakhs in entirety, and that too after doubling the value as per the Act. I will lose more than 2 kathas of land and my two shops,” he stated, while objecting to the compensation amount.
His land is recorded as first-class homestead.
Shah Zaman Sheikh
Sheikh, a former government employee, is set to lose about two kathas of land along with three houses and seven shops, all either RCC or heavy Assam-type structures. He earns around Rs 14,000 per month from shop rentals and has several children to support. His children became emotional while describing how the loss would destroy their family.
Sheikh is set to receive only Rs 5.5 lakhs for the 2 kattas of land and the three houses, with another Rs 40.5 lakhs for the shops. Notably, the land is commercial patta land.
“Our shop has a foundation for three storeys, but due to financial constraints, we could not complete the building. We are also losing three houses, and the other one will become redundant as the road will almost consume it. We are not asking for anything excessive but only want the current market value of the land,” said his son.
The family stated that fully matured trees, including mango and coconut, on their property were not even accounted for.
“We ask the government to not do us any favours but only give us what is rightfully ours. Our father is retired and completely dependent on the earnings from here. We will be completely destroyed. We will lose our only means of livelihood and only request fair compensation,” the sons added.
Mozammil Hoque
In Hoque’s case, the compensation earmarked for his building is Rs 13 lakhs, but his patta land, which he is set to lose, does not feature in the Actual Payment Receipt (APR). Despite repeatedly approaching authorities to rectify the error, his name still did not appear in the second list by the time of this report.
Residents of New Bhaitbari have stated their intent to pursue fair compensation with the state government and the MoRTH, asserting they will continue their fight for rightful compensation, even through the judicial process if required, to address their lifelong loss.