Cabinet approves acquisition package for Mohali airport

Chandigarh, Mar 20 (UNI) The prestigious Mohali International Airport project moved closer to realisation as the Punjab Government today announced major across-the-board compensation to the farmers whose land would be acquired for the purpose.

This decision was taken in a meeting of the state Cabinet held here this evening. Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal chaired the meeting.

According to the Cainet decision the farmers would be paid a lumpsum of Rs 1.5 crore per acre inclusive of 30 per cent solatium.

Ten per cent no litigation benefit would also be paid to the owners whose land is acquired.

The Government also announced a waiver of registration fee and stamp duty on the land that the farmers buy elsewhere in the state with the compensation money they receive in lieu of the land acquired for the Mohali International Airport. This benefit would however be for only two years.

In addition farmers would also be entitled for the facility of a power connection for the new tubewell on priority anywhere in Punjab where they choose to buy land.

The total land to be acquired was 306 acres and 18 marlas and the financial liability involved in the entire acquisition process was approximately Rs 460 crore. The full amount of the compensation would be paid to all the eligible owners whose land was being acquisitioned positively by March 31.

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