Puri: The Puri district administration today issued a clarification over the Bagala Dharmasala renovation project. This is a part of Development of Security Zone around Puri Jagannath Temple project. During the past few days there was some confusion over compensation to displaced lodge owners in the ‘Development of Heritage Security Corridor’ project.
The district administration informed, a total of 27 lodges are displaced and as per the Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy approved by Government the lodge owners had the resettlement option of opting for: One time cash settlement or land as an option of the Resettlement assistance as per the R&R Package.
Till date, six of the lodge owners out of 27 exercised the option of land as resettlement assistance, Puri Collector Balwant Singh said. On June 5, 2020, the Revenue Department accorded permission to execute sale deed for transfer of land to displaced lodge owners as resettlement assistance.
A clarification issue by the district administration read, “The resettlement plots were allotted to them on payment of benchmark value as per Section 17 of Registration Act, 1908. The land in question was never sold to anyone, not connected with the project. Rather it was allotted and transferred to the displaced lodge owners/Yatri Nivas/Dharmasala/Hotels as per resettlement assistance provisions of the R&R package.”
The land relating to Bagala Dharmasala, is situated over Khata No. – 242 having total area measuring 2.738 acres in Balagandi village of Puri town. It was relinquished to Revenue Department following due process on October 25, 2019. Singh added, “The project plan does not envisage removing Bagala Dharmasala. In fact Government has plans to renovate and make better facilities for pilgrims. Only a piece of vacant land (12.23%) has been utilized for the purpose of rehabilitation and resettlement for those who have given their land for temple development,”
Many affected persons were impressed by the R&R policy of the State Government and came forward for acquisition of their land by way of Direct Purchase. The Government had incentivised the R & R package for those who surrendered their land within a short time as notified. “Because of this move more than 80% of the land was acquired in a record time for which the district administration and the state were appreciated across the country,” the clarification further read.
“Major projects in the country are struck up because of land acquisition issues and here is a project in the heart of Puri town where people have come forward to sacrifice their business establishments, land and homes where they have been living and working for hundreds of years. This exercise has been done in the most transparent manner, following all legal procedures. The entire issue must be seen in this context and the sacrifice of ordinary people must be honoured. The district administration has worked day and night to make the project come up to this level,” the Puri district administration further clarified.
