Land acquisition: Five sarpanches claim no wrongful payment

Tribune News Service

Patiala, October 22

Sarpanches of five villages in the Ghanaur block — Sehri, Sehra, Aakhri, Takhtu Majra and Pabra — today rejected allegations of wrongful payment of compensation in connection with acquisition of village land.

Residents of the villages had yesterday alleged that Rs100 crore were siphoned off during acquisition of 1,102 acres in five villages. They had alleged that the sarpanches of the villages were being supported by political leaders in the region and had allegedly got the compensation for the acquired village land transferred in the bank accounts of their associates, instead of legitimate tillers.

Rejecting the allegations today, Harsangat Singh of Takhtu Majra, Jagroop Singh, Harjinder Singh, Manjit Singh and Satnam Singh Dhillon today said the appropriate process was followed for acquisition of the shamlat land.

They claimed, “All the tillers have been paid Rs9 lakh each as compensation. We have all the records.” They said the matter had been probed a number of times but they were not found guilty.