Chandigarh, February 6
In a major relief to landowners, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government has announced a significant increase in the compensation rate for the land owners going to be affected by the laying down of 66KV electric supply lines. This decision was revealed today by Punjab Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO in a press communique issued here.
Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO said, “The rate of compensation towards the diminution in the value of land of the persons affected due to the installation of electric supply lines has been more than doubled. This is a landmark decision aimed at ensuring fair compensation for the affected landowners.”
Under the new policy, the compensation for the tower base area shall now be two hundred percent of the land value. The tower base area is defined as the area enclosed by the four legs of the tower at ground level, with an additional one-meter extension on each side. Previously, this compensation was limited to 85 percent of the area enclosed solely by the four legs of the tower.
In addition to the revised compensation for the tower base area, the Punjab Government has also increased the compensation amount for the Right-of-Way (ROW) corridor. The compensation for land within the ROW corridor, as defined in Schedule VII of the Central Electricity Authority (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and Electric Lines) Regulations, 2022, will now be 30 percent of the land value. This is a notable increase from the previous compensation rate of 15 percent.
He said while deciding the compensation the land value would be the circle rate or market rate as determined by the District Magistrate, District Collector or Deputy Commissioner.
Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO emphasized, “This compensation addresses the potential diminution of land value due to the presence of overhead lines or underground cables within the ROW corridor. It is crucial to note that no construction activity of any kind will be permitted within the ROW of the transmission line.”
