Naveen Announces Rehabilitation and Resettlement Package for Development of Security Zone around Shree Jagannath Temple

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a special rehabilitation package for the security zone of Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Giving priority on the strengthening the security of Shree Mandir, the Odisha Government has started developing a security zone around the world famous temple.

The State Government reiterated that there would be no compromise on the security of the Shree Mandir, one of the most prominent heritage sites in the country.

Notably, earlier on August 23 the Chief Minister had announced a package worth Rs 500 crore to develop Puri as a world heritage city while stressing the need to strengthening the security features of ancient shrine.

In order to strengthen safety and security around Shree Jagannath Temple, the State Government has accepted certain recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry consisting of Justice Bimal Prasad Das, retired Judge of Odisha High Court .

One of the most important recommendations accepted by the Government was to develop a 75 metre zone around Shree Jagannath Temple at Puri.

This project will be called as “Development of Security Zone around Shree Jagannath Temple at Puri”.

To acquire lands and properties falling within this zone, a special Rehabilitation and Resettlement Scheme is being formulated which is over and above the compensation as per Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

This Scheme will provide rehabilitation and resettlement assistance to persons and institutions affected by the project.

Rehabilitation and Resettlement Scheme

Acquisition of Residential Units:

Compensation Amount Shall be paid as per provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

a)Relocation Allowance of Rs. 50,000 per family for taking care of expenses related to transportation and immediate arrangements.

Rental Assistance of Rs. 10,000 per month as rental assistance from the date of acquisition of property till handing over of a residential unit /resettlement plot to the displaced family. This will not be applicable to cases which have opted for one-time house building assistance under the Resettlement Scheme.

Resettlement Scheme: a)Option A: House Building Assistance – A family can opt for one- time assistance of Rs. 30 lakhs. b) Option B: R&R Housing – A family can opt for allotment of one residential unit having size of 520 Sq feet built up area in the proposed R&R colony within 1.5 km of Temple complex. c) Option C: Resettlement Colony-A family can opt for allotment of resettlement plot having size 40*25 feet within 2 kms of Temple Complex.

Acquisition of Shopping Units

Compensation Amount Shall be paid as per provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

Relocation Allowance of Rs. 50,000 per unit shall be paid for taking care of expenses related to transportation and immediate arrangements to be made by the shop owners.

Rental Assistance: Option A: It shall be provided with Rs 5,000, Rs 10,000 & Rs 15,000 per month as rental assistance for shops having size less than 200 sq ft, between 200 square feet and 500 sq ft & more than 500sq ft built up area, respectively from the date of acquisition of property till handing over of a shopping units.

ii)Option B: Collector, Puri will coordinate various agencies for identification and allotment of vacant shops available or being developed in various market complexes. This option will be available subject to the availability.
Every shopping unit will be eligible for allotment of a shop nit in the market complex(es) to be developed for the purpose.

Acquisition of Lodges

The compensation for acquisition of land and properties being used for lodging purpose shall be paid as per provisions of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Relocation Allowance of Rs. 10 lakhs and Rs 5 lakhs per lodge shall be paid respectively for lodges having plot area of more than 3000 sq ft and lodges having plot area of less than 3000 sq ft area. This is to take care of expenses related to transportation and other immediate arrangements to be made by the owners.
Income Support Assistance: Every lodge shall be provided with Rs. 25 per sq ft built up area per month as income support assistance from the date of acquisition of property for a period of 18 months.

Resettlement Assistance: a) Option A: One Time Assistance – A lodge owner can opt for one time assistance of Rs. 2000 per square feet of built-up b)Option B: Resettlement Plots – A lodge owner can opt for allotment of one resettlement plot meant for development of lodging as decided by Collector, Puri within 300 meters on either side of Badadanda (Grand Road). Three standard sizes plots of (i) 50 feet * 30 feet; (ii) 50 feet * 40 feet and (iii) 50 feet *60 feet will be made available to the affected lodge owners having existing built up area of 1500 sq ft – 3000 sq ft, 3000 sq ft-4000 sq ft and more than 4000 sq ft; respectively. These plots would be provided to them on Bench Mark valuation and on such terms and conditions as decided by the Collector, Puri.

A lodge owner/ unit will also be provided with a construction assistance of Rs. 750 per square feet of the property acquired.

Street Vendors: One time assistance of Rs. 30,000 will be provided to every affected street vendor.

Street Vending Plan: Collector, Puri will supervise and ensure preparation of street vending plan as per provisions of the relevant act and rules. As per the plan prepared and duly approved, affected street vendors will be allocated spaces for carrying out their vending activities.

Mathas:

The Collector of Puri, in consultation with stakeholders, will decide the rehabilitation and resettlement scheme for the Mathas including allotment of land, preservation and conservation activities etc.

The deities and gadi in affected mathas will be conserved.

The Redevelopment plan of each of the Matha will indicate the usage of various components/parts/rooms and same shall be put to use; accordingly. The redevelopment plan will focus on heritage architecture, complementary filiation between Jagananth Temple and the concerned matha.

Adequate parking should be provided for the use of Mathas in the redevelopment plan.

Shopping units if any, to be constructed as per the R & R scheme approved by the Collector, Puri ; shall be provided only at common market complex(es).

The package will be implemented by the district Collector. Necessary changes can be done in the package by the Collector on the recommendation by central revenue commissioner after discussing with concern parties.

The State government also announced to give 10 percent more financial assistance along with the package under the policy to those who will hand over their properties located under Shree Mandir security zone within a month of publication of the notification.