Row over land compensation

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, JUNE 19.

The question of enhancement of compensation rate for acquisition of land is expected to trigger off a confrontation between the Lieutenant-Governor, Mr. Vijai Kapoor, and the Delhi Government. Mr. Kapoor is being charged with ``acting under pressure'' thereby delaying a decision on the proposal sent by the State Government months ago.

With pressure building on the Delhi Government to act, it is understood the Delhi Finance Minister, Mr. Mahinder Singh Saathi, is likely to take up the issue with Mr. Kapoor forcefully. The Chief Minister, Ms. Sheila Dikshit, had made an announcement of increasing land acquisition compensation rate from Rs. 16 lakh to Rs.23 lakhs in February in the presence of party president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi.

Soon after the Delhi Cabinet met and passed the proposal, it was sent to the Lt-Governor for approval after which a formal notification was to be issued. But this is where things started going wrong. Raj Niwas had its own objections and wanted the Delhi Government to make certain amendments before a final approval could be given.

Mr. Kapoor raised certain objections regarding verification of land rates and payment of stamp duty. Consequent to the objections, the Finance Ministry made certain amendments to the Stamp Duty Act and these were subsequently passed by the Delhi Cabinet. But even a month after the amendments were passed, the matter is still pending approval by Raj Niwas. This has led to strong resentment against the ruling party among a section of farmers who are demanding immediate implementation of the new rates.

But the long time taken to clear such an important decision has led many to believe that there was more to it than meets the eye. The Congress(I) circles are agog with rumours that Mr. Kapoor, a personal choice of the Union Home Minister, Mr. L. K.Advani, is playing politics on the issue. Mr. Kapoor has been, in the past too, accused of siding with BJP leaders.

In fact, this has also highlighted the continued marginalisation of political leadership in the Delhi set-up. Many in the Congress(I) believe the Delhi Government should not hesitate to take a firm stand and if need be, the local unit should launch an agitation. ``In case of dispute between the government and Raj Niwas, the matter is referred to the President. If things come to such a pass, let this course also be adopted by the Delhi Government,'' a senior leader added.

A number of leaders are of the opinion that it was high time the Delhi Cabinet took on Raj Niwas. ``The Lt-Governor has raised objections on frivolous grounds. It is time that we assert our authority,'' remarked a senior Minister.

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