SHILLONG: Land owners and farmers under the banner of Hill Farmers’ Union affected by the New Umtru Hydel Electric Project (NUHEP) at Dehal, Ri Bhoi, have demanded compensation for land from MeECL and regularisation of 22 casual employees working for the project.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, a land owner on condition of anonymity said, “Land compensation for farmers, who are also the owners of the agricultural land, has not been paid. However, the agricultural land has been inundated due to rising water levels.”
The land owner added that according to the agreement made on February 24, 2015, between the land owners and officer-in-charge of NUHEP, MeECL agreed not to raise the water level up to 128m until the Corporation pays compensation.
Further the union stated that MeECL had promised to regularise the casual employees who are working under the project.
Peeved at the delay in releasing the land compensation, the land owner said, “We will not part with our land any more even if it (MeECL) asks for it. We will resort to legal measures if needed.”
“We willingly offered our land as they said it would be for the development of the State and a public hearing was also convened in this regard,” said the land owner.
Earlier in the day, a delegation led by the president of the union, Commander Shangpliang, met the Joint Secretary of MeECL.
The land owner claimed, “The joint secretary is oblivious to the agreement made between us and MeECL.”
Meanwhile, the union also demanded that the amount of money for land compensation be raised to Rs 250 per sqm.
The rising inflation makes the earlier rate of Rs 30 per sq. m, agreed upon in 2005, is insufficient for livelihood sustenance, the members said.
