Arunachal offers easy land acquisition for army

Itanagar, Sep 10: The Arunachal Pradesh government will provide easy accessibility of land to the defence brigade by fixing uniform rate on the basis of its assessment.

Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu disclosed this during a meeting with the Officiating Core Commander (OCC) of Tezpur based 4 Corps, Major General P S Bhalla, here yesterday, official sources today said.

The OCC had invited the chief minister to discuss matters pertaining to defence land and various other state government and private land acquisition problems.

Mr Khandu, however, advised that the army first negotiate with the villagers and locals before placing their demands for land acquisition to the state government in order to avoid any future controversies.

He also said the army should ensure timely payment of land as per the required norms.

In view of productive land acquired by the army, the Chief Minister suggested that the barter system of exchange may be conducted to benefit both the army and the civilians.

Assuring all possible assistance from the government's end, the Chief Minister called for united effort to bridge the existing gap between the army and the local populace, strengthening national integrity.

Issues like land acquisition by the army, land taken on lease, payment for land, issuing of land possession certificates, unauthorised acquisition of land by the army, encroachment of private parties on army land, requirement of more land for the defence in various parts of the state were also discussed, the sources added.

Mr Khandu said a high level committee would be constituted under the chairmanship of land management commissioner to meet the issue.

A team led by the GOC comprising of Brig P Satish, Col A K Gupta and Col U Dwiwedi presented an impressive power point presentation covering topics relating to land acquisition in the state.

Mr Bhalla, while assuring to take up the issues raised by the chief minister on priority basis, also ensured to pursue the cases pending in Ministry of Defence.

He also appreciated the positive gesture of the chief minister and promised to extend all possible help from the Army's end, sources said.

UNI