Construct Expressway away from residential colonies, market places: Manjit Singh
Says use of State Land will adversely affect SC, OBC and DPs
VIJAYPUR, JUNE 11, 2021: Manjit Singh, Provincial President, and Former Minister, today said the use of State land should be avoided in the ongoing construction work for Jammu-Katra Express Way as it will deprive the neglected section of society from the land they are holding in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a statement to the press, a deputation of local shopkeepers from Vijaypur called on Former Minister Manjit Singh and they expressed their concern over the use of state land, and commercial places in Express Way.
Addressing them, Manjit Singh strongly condemned a politician belonging to the National Conference for his statement seeking use of state land for the construction of ExpressWay.
“The use of state land for the construction of ExpressWay will directly affect the poor people belonging to Scheduled Caste, OBC and Displaced Persons who hold State Land for decades,” said Manjit Singh.
If the State Land is used, he said, it would displace the already Displaced Persons who are in financial constraints and not able to re-settle their families once more in their lives.
The people holding state land for decades may not be able to get compensation as they have not been given ownership rights by the Govt. even after years, he said, and added that their miseries will add with the acquiring of state land.
He demanded that the state land allotted to the SC, OBC, DPs and others should be given ownership rights which is their constitutional right.
On this, he demanded intervention of J&K Govt. to ensure the land is not taken over from the poor people in any part of J&K. The construction agency should adopt a route away from the residential colonies and commercial places so that the people are not displaced in the name of development.
He said that development should not happen at the cost of poor people.
“The Lt Governor must intervene in the serious issue of public concern and direct the construction agency to avoid construction of ExpressWay from the residential colonies and markets as it would affect the lives of a normal man emotionally, physically and financially,” he added.
As far as the demand for use of state land is concerned, he said “The Govt. should acquire the private property since they are paid for acquiring their land/property as per the market rates. However, this does not apply to the holders of state land. Therefore, if the state land is acquired, it would displace thousands of families.”
