Defence Ministry reduces restricted area to 50 Mtrs from 100 Mtrs around various Defence Locations

In reply to a question asked by Sanjeev Arora, MP 

Ministry should acquire restricted area land: Arora

Ludhiana, February 17, 2023: The Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt has stated that no compensation case regarding the land acquisition at village Baddowal, Ayali Kalan and Jhande in Ludhiana is pending. He gave this reply to a question asked by AAP’s MP (Rajya Rajya) Sanjiv Arora in Rajya Sabha on February 13.

Giving this information in a statement here on Friday, Arora said he had put a question about compensation to landowners in Baddowal in the Rajya Sabha. He had asked about the steps government is taking to clear the dues of landowners of Baddowal, Ludhiana, pending since 1983 for the land acquired for Defence purpose.

In reply, the Minister of State for Defence replied that land measuring 696.5251 acres in respect of ammunition sub depot situated at village Baddowal, Ayali Kalan and Jhande in Ludhiana was acquired in the year 1966-67 and 1980-81 on payment of Rs.35,13,129 as compensation to the landowners whose lands were acquired. In addition to this, enhanced compensation to the tune of Rs.18,87,896 was paid by MoD to the landowners. As reported by DGDE, no compensation case regarding the said land acquisition is pending with the office of Defence Estates Officer, Jalandhar Circle.

In another question Arora asked that whether government is planning to reduce the area of safety zone around military installations so that farmers and landowners can utilize the land more judiciously. In reply to this question, the Minister replied that Ministry of Defence vide letter dated December 23, 2022 has reduced the restricted zone around the periphery of Defence establishment from 100 meter to 50 meter at various locations listed in the said letter. For locations not listed in the ibid letter the restricted distance has been kept unchanged considering security concerns. NOC from Local Military Authority is required for carrying out construction activities within the restricted zone.

Meanwhile, in his statement here today, Arora said it is not an easy task for landowners to get NOC from Local Military Authority for carrying out construction activities within the restricted zone. Thus, such lands serve almost no purpose to the landowners if they are not allowed to carry on construction activities within the restricted zone. He, therefore, opined that the government should acquire these lands after paying suitable compensation to the affected landowners.