CDA prepares report on disputed sectors

03 Nov, 2004

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) had prepared a comprehensive report on controversial D-12, E-12 Sectors, covering all aspects pertaining to their development and payment of double compensation to the affectees, informed sources said on Tuesday.
In this connection, the Chairman CDA, Kamran Lashari would give detailed presentation to four-member cabinet committee in a briefing to be arranged before Eid, sources added.
It may be recalled that federal cabinet on October 28 formed a committee of four federal ministers comprising ministers of interior, housing, information and labour to review pros and cons of the development of D-12, E-12 sectors and submit report with the government within 30 days before the start of two most controversial sectors.
Sources told Business Recorder that CDA could bear a burden of about Rs10 billion with regard to payment of double compensation to the affectees of two-sectors and development cost owing to escalation of prices of material due to continuous delay in development of D-12 and E-12 since 1985.
The Prime Minister Shaukat, Aziz also approved a compensation package for those people whose lands were acquired for the development of sectors D-12 and E-12. He also approved in principal to revoke the awards announced in 1985 for the two sectors.
The Prime Minister had also directed the CDA to immediately start development of four new sectors to ensure provision of affordable housing units in Islamabad to the low-income groups.
During the cabinet meeting, CDA Chairman had demanded of Prime Minster to approve the development plan of seven new sectors, which include D-12, E-12, F-12, G-12, I-14, I-15 and I-16.
It is worthy to note that cabinet has decided to provide three marla plots to 2,722 affected people of D-12 and E-12.
The disputed land in villages Siri Saral and Pind Sangrial presently known as Sector D-12 and E-12 was acquired by the CDA at a rate of less than Rs100 per kanal (600 square yard) in 1954.
Nearly 938 acres land was acquired against the cash compensation of Rs267 million, which had been paid as per the authority's policy under the CDA Ordinance 1960. In addition, 1,200 residential plots and six agriculture plots of 2.5 acres each worth Rs 450 million were allotted to the affected people, sources revealed.
The villagers of Siri Saral and Pind Sangrial were now demanding double benefit against their land acquired by the authority. However they have already rejected to accept the CDA offer of allotment of plots in I-14.
The development work on the project was earlier suspended due to July 29 terrible brawl between the villagers of Seri Seral & Pind Singrial with ICT Police over non-payment of desired compensation and forced eviction from their native land.
The total area of Sector D-12 was 1,612 acres, of which 1,872 kanals were still to be paid, informed source said.
Authority has already charged the development expenditure from the allotees but the amount earned from the sale of the plots and development charges was spent on different other uplift projects.

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