Speaking to media persons, one landowner Rogen Khyllait said that during the survey and public hearing, it was decided that the central government will release an amount of Rs1200 crore for land compensation but unfortunately, the central government was willing to pay only Rs 600 crore.
Khyllait informed that there are not less than 500 land owners right from Sumer Ri-bhoi, Shilliang Um East Khasi Hills and Sohiong where the project Shillong Western By-pass is underway.
“We were shocked when we learned that the central government had rejected the decision taken during the land survey and public hearing. We condemn this step motherly treatment by the central government and we demand from the state government to take up this matter” said Khyllait.
Khyllait alleged that this decision of the central government to pay only Rs 600 crore out of the agreed rate of Rs 1200 is an insult to every land owner falling under Shillong Western By-pass.
He added that this new rate by the central government will have a huge negative impact on all land owners as they are all farmers.
“The land which we part ways for the implementation of the Shillong Western By-pass is very fertile and very suitable for agriculture but now we are getting compensation only half of what was agreed upon. This is a huge loss for us” he added.