Certificate from PM Modi just for show, feel JNPT PAPs

At the inauguration of the port-based SEZ project, PM Narendra Modi gave certificates to the project-affected people; however, without any specific information or timeline on the paper, villagers believe they are being cheated

Three days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the proposed Rs 4,000-crore port-based Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project in Navi Mumbai, the project-affected people (PAP) have expressed their disappointment with the way the it has being handled.

Just a piece of paper: According to villagers, the letter handed out to five PAPs does not mention any important details related to their compensation

On Saturday, the PM initiated the process by giving 5 PAPs their certificates, assuring them that 12.5 per cent of developed land would be given as compensation to all those who have surrendered land.

However, the villagers feel that they’re still being cheated, as the certificate does not mention any time frame by when the land would be handed over. In addition, the document also does not mention the size of the developed land that they would be entitled to.

“I thought that the letter would include these details. However, we are still being kept in the dark about how and when the land will be allotted to us. It only mentions the place. I gave up my land to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) more than 20 years ago,” said Balkrishna Gharat, a villager.

“The land transfer process hasn’t started, and the government hasn’t even issued a government resolution. What is the point of giving us certificates?” asked another villager.

However, officials at JNPT said that they have initiated the handover of land meant for PAPs to the state government. The port authority is also planning to give Rs 212 crore to CIDCO for developing basic infrastructure on the land, for the villagers. “The details of allotment will be announced soon,” said an official.

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