Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana today informed the House that pumping machinery has been installed at all six tube-well locations in Hiranagar Constituency. This was stated by the Minister while replying to a question in Legislative Assembly raised by MLA Rajeev Jasrotia on behalf of MLA Vijay Kumar.
It further stated that in villages like Kadyala, Chak Changa, Karol- Matharian, Splawan and Bobiya, the irrigation infrastructure including channels, pump rooms and delivery tanks, have been completed and is currently operational. However, he acknowledged that in certain locations like Kadyala and Chak Changa, the works related to distribution networks and allied civil infrastructure could not be executed due to land disputes and other constraints.
The Minister assured the House that the pending works shall be taken up once the land-related issues are resolved and subject to availability of funds. It will be ensured that the intended benefits of the irrigation scheme are fully extended to the farmers of the area.
Land compensation determined as per Land Act 2013 : Javed Ahmed Rana
The compensation for proprietary acquired land is determined strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 and the National Highways Authority Act, 1956.
This was stated by Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, while replying to a question raised by MLA Shabir Ahmad Kullay. He was replying on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah in the House today.
The Minister informed the House that discrepancies have been observed in certain cases between the actual use of land as orchards and the classification recorded in revenue records in the Kashmir Division. It stated that, as per inputs from the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, such variations generally arise in cases where the land use has been changed over time from agriculture to horticulture by the land owners themselves without following the prescribed procedure under law.
The government further said that revenue records are updated regularly during Rabi and Kharif harvest inspections, in accordance with the Standing Order No. 22 (Jamabandi) and Standing Order No. 23-B. On the issue of additional compensation or relief, the government reiterated that the matter is governed by the existing legal framework and no separate provision is envisaged.
Govt formulates comprehensive R&R plan for Sawalkote Project : Javed Ahmed Rana
The Government has formulated a comprehensive Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) plan for the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project, taking into account the extent of impact on the local communities. This was stated by Minister for Jal Shakti, Javed Ahmed Rana, while replying to a question raised by MLA Pawan Kumar Gupta in the Legislative Assembly, on behalf of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.
The Minister said that the rehabilitation plan included compensation measures for the landowners and a range of rehabilitation and resettlement entitlements in accordance with the standard practices for all affected districts. “Therefore it won’t be prudent to say that Udhampur district is out of commensurate development benefits,” he said.
The Minister informed the House that the project components fall across three districts of Jammu and Kashmir, Ramban, Udhampur and Reasi, with Ramban district bearing the maximum submergence and emerging as the most affected district in the Union Territory.
The Minister further informed that out of the total land requirement of 1,401.35 hectares for the project, Ramban accounts for the largest share at 1,097.55 hectares, followed by Udhampur with 197 hectares and Reasi with 106.8 hectares.
With regard to submergence, it was informed that out of 1,158.75 hectares of total land, Ramban accounts for 1,030.55 ha (88.94%), Udhampur for 63 ha (5.44%) and Reasi for 65.2 ha, firmly establishing Ramban as the most affected district in the Union Territory.
The Minister provided a detailed breakdown of project components across the three districts. He informed that the diversion tunnel, right abutment of the Dam and right bank tunnels fall under Reasi district, the adit of right bank tunnels, most of the submergence area and other construction facilities fall under Ramban district while the Powerhouse, main tunnel and left abutment of the Dam are located in Udhampur district.
On the question of road connectivity, the Minister noted that the road connecting Jammu city to Ramban is an all-weather road being maintained by NHAI while the road connecting Ramban to Zero Morh is constructed and maintained by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).
Regarding the shortest and most logical Pancheri-Lander-Galiote route, the Minister informed that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared based on technically feasible and commercially viable site conditions and has been duly approved by the Central Electricity Authority, Union Ministry of Power, outlining all project features including access roads to various project components.
The Minister further noted that the proposed road from MH Morh to Chakka is a single-lane route with high maintenance costs and would not be suitable for transportation of heavy machinery and equipment required for construction of the project. He added that the selection of access roads depends on detailed engineering and economic considerations and any change at a later stage could result in construction delays and cost overruns.