J&K High Court has ordered authorities to maintain ‘status quo’ on a chunk of land required for construction of Semi Ring Road around Srinagar City.
The government had initiated process to acquire more than 60 kanals of land in 2017 in Budgam district for construction of the semi Ring Road.
The court passed the orders on a plea by 36 landowners from village Buchroo of Budgam. “Subject to objections and till next date of hearing before the bench, status quo qua the petitioners’ land as on date be maintained,” a bench of Justice Sindhu Sharma ordered. The court listed the matter for further consideration on September 18.
The petitioners are aggrieved of the notification dated 18.3.2017 for land acquisition issued by Collector Land Acquisition (ACR) Budgam, as also notification dated 14.02.2018 whereby Tehsildar Chadoora has been directed to take possession of the land after fulfilling the conditions provided under law.
“The process has been delayed and acquisition proceedings have lapsed due to delay,” they petitioners said.
The petitioners submitted that during the pendency of the proceedings, the status of the state of J&K changed and ‘reorganization order’ was issued in October 2019.
They pleaded that they are entitled to compensation under the Right to Fair Compensation & Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013. They prayed for initiation of fresh acquisition proceedings as per the new law.