Kuldeep requests Prime Minister to allow tsunami hit farmers to retain their land

Port Blair, June 23:  The PCC chief, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma has submitted a letter to the Prime Minister  Mr Narendra Damodardas Modi  with copies to Home Minister and Lt  Governor wherein he has mentioned that in order to bring  normalcy in the life of the Islanders, the UPA Government has  immediately launched various relief and rehabilitation  works/ programmes under the Rajiv Gandhi Rehabilitation Package and  sanctioned Rs. 106 crores as compensation of land through the AN  Administration.

Kuldeep has further stated that, there is a certain section of society, particularly the old inhabitants residing in South Andaman, Little Andaman  and Campbell Bay who are yet to be adequately  compensated for the loss which they have incurred  due to permanent  inundation of sea water in their agriculture land. Most of the people  belonging to OBC Community were brought and settled by the Union  Government under various settlement schemes. Prior to occurrence of  Tsunami these people were earning their livelihood from the land under  their possession. As the land under their possession was not found to be yielding any agricultural produce, the government has sanctioned compensation to the tune of Rs. 9.33 lakhs per hectare of uncultivable /inundated land but the same is payable only if the victim surrender the land.

Kuldeep further said that these poor people who have lost the very source of earning their livelihood need to be treated with sympathy and adequately compensated so that they can rejuvenate their life.

“Government paying compensation in lieu of land tantamount to acquisition of land, where as these poor Tsunami victims need to be compensated in the form of relief and rehabilitation package,” he said.

Kuldeep requested for increased amount per hectare of land as against   the amount of Rs.9.33 lakhs per hectare now being paid and the victims receiving the compensation need to be allowed to retain the land under their possession and not to surrender to the government.

“This will help them to find a recurring source of income by utilizing the land for Fishing/ aquaculture/tourism and water sports activities etc. from the amount of compensation they receive. Moreover, these lands are of no use for the Government,” Kuldeep added.