New Delhi, Aug 28: In a significant development, the long-standing issue of compensation for over 600 aggrieved families in Budgam district has taken a positive turn.
Approximately 4000 kanals of land, acquired by the Defence Estates Department at Srinagar Old Airfield area (Estate Karewa Damodar) in 2013, is at the center of this concern. The aggrieved landowners, primarily farmers, have been eagerly awaiting compensation for a decade. Although a partial payment of Rs 4.80 lakhs per kanal was initially disbursed, subsequent enhancement of rates to Rs 18 to 20 lakhs per kanal led to a delay in payment distribution.
A delegation led by social activist Dr. Raja Muzaffar Bhat, representing the aggrieved landowners of Estate Karewa Damodar (Old Airfield) Srinagar, held a constructive meeting with senior officers at the DG Defence Estates Office in New Delhi on Monday.
The Zamidaran Committee Karewa Damodar expressed contentment over the meeting’s outcome. Senior officers of the DG Defence Estates Office in New Delhi confirmed the sanctioning of over 600 Crore INR by the Government of India for compensation. The disbursement will be overseen by the Defence Estates Officer Srinagar and the Deputy Commissioner Budgam.
Notably, the landowners of Karewa Damodar (Old Airport) and several prominent social activists met with GOC 15 Corps Lt. Gen. ADC Aujla in Srinagar last year to highlight the issues faced by the affected families whose land had been acquired by the Defence Estates Department. Lt. Gen. ADS Aujla took their concerns seriously and facilitated communication with the Defence Estates Department, culminating in the meeting with senior officers in the DG Defence Estates Department. The affected families remain hopeful that the long-awaited compensation will finally materialize. Dr. Raja Muzaffar expressed gratitude to Lt. Gen. Aujla and DG Defence Estates G.S. Rajeshwaran for their unwavering support and called upon DC Budgam and Defence Estates Officer Srinagar to expedite the resolution process.
The affected area encompasses around 3879 kanals of land, affecting over 600 families from Wathoora, Kralpora, Buchroo, Rangreth, and adjacent areas of Budgam district. These families have been waiting for compensation for a decade after their land was acquired by the Defence Estates Department in 2012. Prior to 2013, the Army compensated the landowners with annual rent through the Defence Estates Department, dating back to 1957. In 2012, the Government made the decision to acquire the land, which was already under the Army’s possession.
