Ambiguity prevails over compensation to patta land holders in Musi river bed

Ambiguity prevails over compensation to patta land holders in Musi river bed

The fate of patta holders in the Musi river bed remains ambiguous in the context of State government’s assertion that laws pertaining to land acquisition would be applied to the residents to be displaced by the Musi Riverfront Development project.

The State government had assured the Centre that the rules of the ‘Telangana State Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Rules 2014’ will be followed for resettlement of the affected households and land acquisition.

Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Tokhan Sahu, during his reply to a question by MP K.R. Suresh Reddy, replied that the Telangana State government had informed that the project ensured no widespread demolition or homelessness and includes a well-planned rehabilitation and resettlement process for affected households, following due procedures.

Further, the State has earmarked and allotted 15,000 houses to the families residing in dwelling units of river bed and buffer zone of Musi river on humanitarian grounds, the reply stated. A Consultative Livelihood Support Committee has been constituted by the State government for ensuring smooth transition of affected families, it said citing the State government.

A total 2,166 households were enumerated by the Revenue department in the Musi river bed, all of which were marked with the sign ‘RB-X’ giving rise to protests by the dwellers as well as the opposition parties, Bharat Rashtra Samithi, and Bharatiya Janata Party.

In addition, a total 7,850 structures were enumerated in the buffer zone demarcated to the extent of 50 metres on either side of the river.

During its initial announcement, the State government had promised double bedroom housing units to all the displaced, while those in the buffer with proper documents would be paid compensation for the land and structure as per the land acquisition rules.