ITANAGAR : The East Kameng Social and Cultural Welfare Organisation (EKSWCO) has urged the state government to ensure uniform compensation rates for land, trees, crops and other affected properties under Packages 1 to 5 of the Lada-Sarli Frontier Highway project in East Kameng district.
In a representation submitted to the Commissioner of Land Management on Monday, the organisation alleged significant disparities in compensation rates between East Kameng and neighbouring districts such as Koloriang and Bichom despite similar topographical conditions and nature of land acquisition.
While appreciating the government’s ongoing reverification and recovery exercise aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in compensation payments, EKSWCO expressed concern that beneficiaries in East Kameng were reportedly receiving substantially lower compensation for identical assets.
The organisation cited the example of Tasha (Rambang), stating that compensation for one unit had reportedly been fixed at Rs 7,500 in Koloriang and Bichom districts, whereas beneficiaries in East Kameng were being paid only Rs 1,500 for the same unit.
Describing the disparity as arbitrary and discriminatory, EKSWCO said affected landowners in East Kameng should not be subjected to lower compensation rates when the project, terrain, nature of acquisition and affected assets were comparable to those in neighbouring districts.
The organisation requested the department to review the matter and extend the compensation rates applicable in Koloriang and Bichom districts uniformly to all beneficiaries under Packages 1 to 5 of the Frontier Highway project in East Kameng.
EKSWCO also sought corrective measures within 15 days of receipt of the representation.
The organisation warned that if the issue was not resolved within the stipulated period, it would be compelled to explore legal remedies and initiate appropriate proceedings to protect the interests of affected beneficiaries.
The representation was signed by EKSWCO’s issue chairman Chopa Cheda and members Anil Rebe, Tutu Dolo and Kumar Sonam, who are associated with issues relating to compensation under the Lada-Sarli Frontier Highway project.
