Collector K Vasuki assures fair compensation

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: District collector K. Vasuki on Sunday assured residents of Vayyamoola near Vallakadavu here of attractive compensation for the 18 acres to be acquired for the airport terminal expansion and urged them to cooperate with the land survey. The residents wanted the government to formally announce a compensation package, including jobs at the airport or government services and alternative homes, before acquiring their land. A meeting the collector held with them witnessed those living as joint families in small portions of two cents or even less, explaining their plight with wet eyes.

The collector tried to convince them that the survey was essential to decide compensation packages.  “I can assure you that the government cannot evict you without due compensation, especially under new land acquisition norms. The survey is essential to evaluate the exact area each possesses,” she said as many wanted the government to announce the compensation before going ahead with the survey. “Why is the government not announcing it even after we are cooperating with the land acquisition. Earlier we had bitter experiences of not getting due compensation,” said a resident Sindhu. 

Many others also expressed apprehensions if Dr Vasuki gets transferred. At this point, she said that all their concerns were well documented in the social impact study conducted by Loyola College of Social Sciences and submitted to the government. Vallakadavu-Vayyamoola joint action council leader Saifuddin Haji also said that SIA was indeed a positive stet.  The study had found that about 450 people would be affected and had recommended ten times the fair value as compensation

The district collector said the scope of their employment was being explored. Jobs could also be offered in airport-related contracts or employment schemes under the district administration. The collector also assured them that chances of further land acquisition were very remote as the government was also exploring options of a new airport in Kattakada, Parassala or Navaikulam. Some families staying in the locality for over 15 years without title deeds also pleaded due compensation. The collector said that the government would have to take a policy decision on it.