Jaitapur PAPs to get Rs 22.5 lakh compensation per hectare

First major project in Maha to have revised package after union cabinet's nod to amended Land Acquisition Bill in Dec

Jaitapur nuclear project affected persons (PAPs) will have a windfall gain as the Maharashtra government has announced a whopping 80% increase in their compensation towards land. They will be now paid an hefty compensation of Rs 22.5 lakh hectare instead of earlier announced and paid to some of them ranging between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1.50 lakh per hectare.

Maharashtra government last week has issued notification in this regard terming the revised package as a 'special case'. "It will benefit 2,335 PAPs following the acquisition of a total of 938.026 hectare for the 9,900 MW Jaitapur project. So far hardly 10% PAPs have collected cheques as per the old compensation package from the Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC).

However, they will get additional compensation as per the revised package. The government has clearly mentioned that the revised package is a special case.

NPC, which is currently in talks with the French nuclear reactor supplier for the initial procurement of  two evolutionary pressurized reactors (EPRs) of 1,650 MW each and later four more, will shell out Rs 211 crore towards revised compensation to PAPs. The revised package is the first for any major infrastructure project proposed in Maharashtra since the Union cabinet has cleared amended Land Acquisition Bill in December.

NPC official, who is closely associated with the project execution, told Business Standard “ The state government’s notification is a positive move. NPC will spend Rs 211 crore on payment of compensation to PAPs. In addition, the company has proposed expenditure of Rs 150 crore which includes Rs 2 crore per village to provide and upgrade civic amenities, Rs 5 lakh  per PAP in lieu of job. 

Besides, an annual provision of Rs 25 lakh per village will be made for maintaining the civic amenities and it will be increased by 10% after every three years. In addition to these expenses NPC will also spend as per the provisions of the amended Land Acquisition Bill.”

However, Konkan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, a non government organization has opposed the state government’s move. “We are strongly opposed to the Jaitapur nuclear project. There is no question of accepting government’s decision on revised compensation,” said Adwait Pednekar, co-convenor, Konkan Bachao Sangharsh Samiti.

Undeterred by opposition from some villagers and political parties, NPC official said the company will pay a rehabilitation grant equal to 750 days minimum agricultural labour wages. Those families, whose partial land has been acquired and become marginal land owner, rehabilitation grant equal to 500 days minimum agricultural wages will be paid.

Furthermore, NPC will pay rehabilitation grant equal to 375 days minimum agricultural labour wages to those families who become a small land owner. Moreover, NPC will pay rehabilitation grant equal to 625 days minimum agricultural labour wages to the agricultural labourers or other labourers. A life time minimum pension of Rs 500 per month will be paid to vulnerable persons, deserted women, shelter less or destitute persons in these four villages.

The official informed that NPC will also spend on the construction of educational institutes including ITIs, hospitals. This entails an investment of about Rs 350 crore which can be amended depending upon the actual need of funds.