Government may not pay more for Jaitapur land

Locals affected by the proposed Jaitapur nuclear power plant may have to settle for the compensation package decided by the government.

Locals affected by the proposed Jaitapur nuclear power plant may have to settle for the compensation package decided by the government.

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Industries minister Narayan Rane said on Thursday that the state had proposed a compensation of Rs10 lakh per acre (Rs4.46 lakh per hectare) for the project-affected people (PAP). Even though the plant promoters, the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, agreed to give the said amount, the locals are opposing the plant on several other grounds.

“There is no new proposal to increase the compensation. As per the government’s ready reckoner, rate of the land in that area [Madban and other coastal villages in Ratnagiri district] is actually Rs46,000 per hectare,” said Rane.

The plant and allied activities need 938 hectares of land from five villages — Madban, Niveli, Mithgavane, Karel and Varilwada. The project will affect at least 2,335 families.

The earlier compensation offered was based on the current rate of the land — Rs46,000 per hectare. However, only 17 families accepted the first proposal. After a series of protests, the state and Centre announced a compensation of Rs10 lakh per acre.

Rane, who is from the Konkan area where the 9,900-megawatt power plant will come up, was instrumental in pushing the case for residents of Jaitapur. The compensation promised is the highest for any government project in the state.

The government is also considering a separate package for fishermen from neighbouring villages. Though their land will not be acquired, the fisherfolk are up in arms against the nuclear project claiming that it would affect their means of livelihood.