Cultivate de-mined land without fear: Speaker

Jammu, May 12 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Tara Chand today flagged off tractors to be used on 634 kanal de-mined land vacated by the Army after Kargil conflict at Gigrial border village of Khour block here this afternoon.

After flagging off, Speaker interacted with the farmers and urged them to cultivate their agriculture land without any fear.

Mr Tara Chand said the coalition government is fully aware of the problems of rural as well as border belt people which include drinking water facilities, electricity, upgradation and opening of new schools and road connectivity.

He said with the sincere efforts of the state government particularly Chief Minister who took up the matter with Ministry of Defence with regard to the problems faced by the inhabitants of border belt those residing on Actual Line of Control.

Mr Tara Chand said from the last 9 years 25000 kanal of land had remained unutilized as the owners remained away from their native villages because of fear of planted mine.

He informed the farmers that the central government has already sanctioned Rs 78 crore for proper rehabilitation of border migrants including crop compensation.

The Speaker apprised that the government has also sanctioned Rs 8,220 per acre of land as crop compensation so that the farmers do not face any inconvenience during tractorisation.

He asked the revenue authorities to prepare the list of land owners of Gigrial village so that the compensation of Rs 8,220 per acre could be distributed soon.

Deputy GOC Brig Pralhad Singh apprised the Speaker that the army authorities have already deposited the amount of crop compensation of Pargwal area farmers to the state government for proper disbursement after identifying the land owners.

On the demand of Gigrial farmers, the GOC asked the concerned army officers to install 4 hand pumps to provide adequate drinking water to the farmers during summer season.

Responding to the demands of Shri Pratap Singh Pura farmers, the Speaker said the present government is also taking keen interest to demining the land from zero point to Shama Chakrayal border belt village so that the affected villagers are able to cultivate their land.

UNI