Farmers get compensation for acquired land

Ishwardi (Pabna) Correspondent :
After five long years, the affected farmers got compensation for the crops of the land acquired for the under-construction Rooppur Nuclear Power Project (RNPP) in Ishward ion Monday . The compensation checks were handed over to 28 affected farmers at the Upazila Parishad Auditorium.
UNO PM Imrul Kayes presided over the check distribution ceremony. Assistant Commissioner (land) TA Rahsin Kabir, Pakshi UP Chairman Saifuzzaman Pintu Biswas along with the affected farmers and journalists were present on the occasion.
UNO PM Imrul Kayes said that in 2017, 990 acres of Khas land in Char area was acquired for the project. Local farmers used to cultivate crops in these special lands. A list of 775 persons including 625 cultivators on 800 acres and 150 on 190 acres has been temporarily prepared for the purpose of providing compensation for crops on humanitarian grounds. Atomic Energy Commission allocated 27 crore 34 lakh 87 thousand 990 taka for compensation in 2017. In view of this, on July 5, 2018, compensation of 1 crore 75 thousand 550 taka was paid to 64 people. Later, when the farmers got involved in lawsuits for inclusion in the list afresh and the compensation was stopped for re-scrutiny. According to the trial order of the Pabna Joint District Judge 2nd court, the judgment of the writ petition of the High Court and the instructions of the District Commissioner’s office, a total of 20 crore 24 lakh 59 thousand 855 taka was given to 314 people and 28 farmers were given crop compensation grant of 84 lakh taka. UNO said that the affected farmers have paid checks in favor of their respective bank accounts at Sonali Bank Ishwardi branch. 3% of the compensation is being deposited as source tax in the government treasury through treasury challan.
The farmers present expressed their satisfaction after receiving the crop compensation grant after a long time.