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Friday, March 29, 2024

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Friday, March 29, 2024

‘Gas pipeline affecting farmlands’

SHILLONG:

Trinamool Congress MLA George B Lyngdoh on Wednesday drew the attention of the Revenue and Disaster Management minister, Kyrmen Shylla, on the intention of Indradhanush Gas Grid limited where they are trying to lay gas pipelines across four districts affecting 76 villages –30 villages in Ri Bhoi, 11 villages in East Khasi Hills, 12 villages in West Jaintia Hills, and 23 villages in East Jaintia hills.

The entire pipeline work, which aims to ensure that gas travels across Meghalaya to other parts of North East, is affecting several villages as the department already knows, Lyngdoh said.

He expressed concern about farmlands that will be affected due to the passage of the gas pipeline through those and informed that there is a mixed response (from the landowners) with some accepting it and some rejecting the proposal.

Pointing out that the department is yet to fix the rate, Lyngdoh said that the rate fixed by the government of Assam for the gas pipeline for the beneficiaries is higher than the ones currently planned by Meghalaya.

He said that the department should exercise its mind to compare with the rates fixed by Assam for the farmland owners whose property will be affected.

He asked, “What does the department intend to do with the beneficiaries who are objecting to the passage of the pipeline and also to this submission regarding the rate?”

Kyrmen Shylla said, “There is no doubt, whenever any kind of development we bring in the state, there will be opposition. But when it comes to the compensation, it will be paid to all the beneficiaries and for the time until the soil can be utilised for farming, they will get payment for that.”

He said that the rate is yet to be fixed and it will be done by district administration and competent authority. He added that it will be brought to the notice of the beneficiaries once the rate is fixed.

As for the beneficiaries who are opposing the project, Lyngdoh said that such beneficiaries should be reached out to and their concerns heard.

Referring to the minister’s statement that the rates are yet to be fixed, Lyngdoh stressed on comparing the rates as laid down by the government of Assam for the same pipeline because it is a national project and is passing through various states.

To this the minister said, “We will look into it and will try to coordinate with Assam and will see what rate is to be fixed.”

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