ITANAGAR, Mar 16: The long-persisting stalemate regarding land acquisition and compensation of the Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies (CIHCS) situated at Dahung in West Kameng district was resolved today with intervention by Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
Chairing a meeting with the CIHCS authorities and land owners represented by the Singchung Village Council Land Management Committee (SVCLMC), Khandu advised both the parties to resolve the matter at once while explaining the importance of having the CIHCS. With both parties mandating the Chief Minister to settle the dispute, it was decided that land compensation for the portion of land under occupation of CIHCS amounting to Rs. 5.97 crore as assessed and submitted by the District Administration and subsequently approved by the Ministry of Culture, GoI would be granted to SVCLMC as per the Jhum Land Regulation, 1947. As a result, no other terms and conditions will be legally binding on the CIHCS. Khandu, however, advised the Director of CIHCS Dr. Gurmet Dorjey to immediately take up the matter of construction of boundary wall on the two plots of land under its occupation. Responding to a proposal of Naresh Glow, the former minister and SVCLMC Chairman, Chief Minister requested SVCLMC to put forward a separate proposal for establishment of new schools in the area, which he assured would be favourably considered by state government provided the land is made available free of cost. It may be recalled that Glow had earlier suggested that, if possible, the existing land from where the CIHCS is currently functioning should be returned back to SVCLMC along with all infrastructure thereon so that it could be utilized to run either a RK Mission or VKV school for the benefit of Bugun community students. However, like all others present in the meeting, he submitted that SVCLMC is ready to accept any decision taken by the Chief Minister as final.
SVCLMC Adviser Sang Norbu Sarai emphasized that CIHCS should carry out the terms and conditions that was initially agreed between the Buddhist Culture Preservation Society (BCPS), Bomdila and SVCLMC, Singchung while establishing CIHCS at Dahung before its taking over by the Ministry of Culture, GoI. He further insisted that SVCLMC never told CIHCS to shift to some other place nor did it asked for compensation. The compensation offer came from the CIHCS at a later stage which still is not being agreed upon by SVCLMC, he added. Meanwhile, CIHCS Director apprised everybody present of the letter of the Union Ministry of Culture wherein the State’s Chief Secretary was communicated of the decision to provide Rs. 5.97 crore as land compensation. He however added that the terms and conditions as put forward by the SVCLMC on various matters pertaining to job reservation, award of civil works etc. had not been accepted by the Ministry.
Giving a glimpse of the future plans, the Director shared his vision of developing the institute into a deemed-to-be-university in future, with provisions for enrolling around 4000 students and creating approximately 400 jobs in various categories. He however stated such vision could materialized only if the land issue is resolved and opined that the only solution is acceptance of land compensation by the locals.
Local legislator Kumsi Sidisow and Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar were also present in the meeting. CMO

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
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