Sitharaman distributes cheques worth Rs 5 crore to people rehabilitated for naval base

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today distributed cheques worth about Rs 5 crore to 30 households rehabilitated after their land was acquired for building a naval base, the defence ministry said today.
The land was acquired as part of 'Operation Seabird' project, which involves building the Karwar base in Karnataka. The Navy envisages to make it one of the largest naval bases in India.
Sitharaman expressed gratitude towards those who have given their land for the development of the strategic naval base on the western coast of India.
"Smt @nsitharaman distributes cheques worth almost 5 crores for 30 households (96 persons) who were rehabilitated under Operation Seabird (Naval Project). Smt @nsitharaman expresses gratitude towards those who have given their land for the development of the strategic Naval Base that shall strengthen the presence of the @indiannavy along the Western Coast of India," Sitharaman tweeted.

The defence ministry had acquired private land measuring 2412 acres 15 guntas 7 anas located in 13 villages of the Karwar and Ankola talukas, Uttar Kannada District in Karnataka for the purpose of creating the naval base.
At the time of acquisition of land from 1988 to 2000, a sum of Rs 22.55 crores was paid to the ex-land owners towards compensation besides Rs 126 crores towards rehabilitation packages to the project affected families.
Some land owners who were not satisfied with quantum of compensation awarded by Special Land Acquisition Officer (SLAO), had filed references under section 18 of Land Acquisition (LA) Act 1894, following which the courts awarded enhanced compensation at Rs 4.60 lakhs per acre which was confirmed by the Supreme Court, the statement said.

Accordingly, the defence ministry till date has already paid Rs 380.42 crore as enhanced compensation in respect of 1008 such cases, the statement said.