State BJP protest against land acquisition rates

Gangtok, Jun 20 (UNI) The Sikkim BJP today held a three-hour silent demonstration in front of DC (East) office at Sichey here to protest the reduction of land rates by the state government.

Speaking to newspersons, state BJP president H R Pradhan said the party is not in agreement in the price reduction from Rs 7.5 lakhs to Rs 2.14 lakhs for cardamom field, Rs 7 lakhs to Rs 2 lakhs for paddy field, Rs 4.95 lakhs to Rs 1.41 lakhs for dry field, Rs 3 lakhs to Rs 85,750 per acre for barren land and so on by Gazette notification 236 of August 10, 2006.

Farmers and party supporters from different areas affected by the hydel and industrial projects gathered in front of DC's office to participate in the silent demonstration.

BJP also submitted two separate memorandums to the Governor and the Chief Secretary.

Claiming that the no compensation has been paid for the damage to large tracts of land, houses and properties due to implementation of various projects, BJP said compensation must be paid by the state government. Effective precautionary measures must be taken to prevent further damage, said BJP.

The party also demanded rollback of the land prices notified by the state government to market rates and providing house sites for those who have become landless.

At least one person from each family affected by the land acquisition must be given a job in the projects and there should be eighty per cent job allocation to Sikkimese people in the projects, said the BJP president.

BJP also assured the farmers that it will take up the issue in the Parliament if the state government fails to address the issue.

UNI