Islamabad: The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday (September 11) ordered the commissioner of Rawalpindi to reevaluate the compensation for land acquired for the Dadhocha Dam based on the current market value assessment, according to news sources.
Read:Land acquisition for Chahar Dam paces up with ADB’s assistance Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah observed in a judgment that the notifications from November 2, 2010, and March 12, 2020, are still valid and shall remain operative. This decision comes from a three-judge bench, including Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial and Justice Ayesha A. Malik. They were addressing an appeal by the commissioner of Rawalpindi against a Lahore High Court order from February 2, 2021, which suspended the land acquisition notifications. The latest verdict stated that other factors prescribed under the law for finalizing compensation like the potential value of land and its escalation from the addendum notification’s publication date and date of new award should be taken into account as well.
Read:Development work on Daducha Dam resumes The dispute centred on the request by the executive engineer of the Small Dams Division in Islamabad to acquire land in the Rawalpindi district for the dam’s construction. An initial notification was issued in 2010, and the District Price Assessment Committee approved the estimated land cost in 2011. However, no further action was taken until an addendum notification in 2020 increased the land area to be acquired. The committee reaffirmed the land’s value in 2020. Despite challenges, an award was announced in 2020 based on the 2011 valuation. The Lahore High Court later invalidated the notifications but allowed for the possibility of initiating a new land acquisition process. During the proceedings, it was revealed that there was a request to change the dam’s location, but it ultimately remained at the original site. The Supreme Court has presently upheld the validity of the notifications issued in 2010 and 2020 but found fault with the award process, prompting the reevaluation of compensation for the acquired land.
Hazafa reveres the art of writing and has been turned into a property enthusiast by profession. Her daily survival kit includes; tea, coffee, keyboard and paperbacks.
