Details

Written by: Current News Service

Category: ENVIRONMENT

Published: 17 September 2018

SRINAGAR: Showing his concern about loot and plunder of forest and agriculture land by a private power transmission company, PDP leader and former Vice Chairman of JK Cements Er Nazir Ahmad Yatoo has demanded that affected people be adequately compensated and land that comes under alignment of the line be also compensated as the same has been rendered useless.

In a statement issued here , PDP leader Nazir Ahmad Yatoo said that private transmission company NRSS 29 which is a subsidiary of M/S Sterlite Power has axed thousands of forest and fruit bearing trees. According to Yatoo , Budgam district is the worst hit district where more than 10,000 trees have been cut down.  “I am unable to understand who has given directions for cutting  of thousands of fruit trees. Revenue and Horticulture department officials should be made accountable for this. People in Charari Sharief and Khansahib constituencies have been moving from pillar to post to get justice. The compensation provided to fruit bearing trees is 5 to 6 times less than the market rate” said Nazir Ahmad Yatoo.

He added that assessments are made according to 30 year old rates when apple was sold @ Rs 16 / Kg and walnut @ Rs 104 / kg in retail . Apple orchards and agriculture land coming under 440 KV transmission line is also not being compensated which is the right of people. “This land has become useless as its commercial and horticulture value has come down drastically. In addition health of people especially the children is at risk as high voltage transmission lines cause leukemia among children” Yatoo added

Yatoo demanded resettlement and rehabilitation of people who are living near the high voltage transmission line especially in Kutbal , Bonen , Batwodder and Branwar villages of Charar sharief in Budgam district. While condemning the axing of 50,000 forest trees in Pir Panjaal forests, Yatoo demanded a probe into it through state vigilance organization.