Punjab Government Doubles Compensation for 60 kV Power Line Land

Chandigarh : In a significant move, the Punjab government has announced a substantial increase in the compensation for farmers whose land is used for 60 kV power lines. The new compensation policy, which doubles the previous amount, aims to provide greater financial relief to affected farmers. The decision was announced by Punjab’s Minister for Power, Harbhajan Singh, who stated that the farmers will now be compensated at the market rate for the land acquired for power line infrastructure.

This decision is seen as a major step towards ensuring the welfare of farmers, particularly in rural areas where agricultural land is often requisitioned for public projects such as electricity lines. The announcement has been welcomed by farmers’ unions, who had long demanded higher compensation for land used by power companies. They argued that the previous compensation was inadequate and failed to account for the real value of the land taken from them.

Minister Harbhajan Singh emphasized that this decision is part of the government’s continued efforts to support the farming community. He noted that the Punjab government is committed to safeguarding the interests of farmers and ensuring that they receive fair compensation for their land. The minister also highlighted that this revised compensation policy will help mitigate the financial impact on farmers who lose valuable land for infrastructure projects that are essential for the state’s power grid.

Farmers’ leaders have praised the move, acknowledging that it will ease the financial burden on those who have been affected by the land acquisition for power lines. However, some farmers have urged the government to extend similar compensation policies to other land acquisitions and projects that impact their livelihoods.

The decision to provide market rate compensation reflects the government’s recognition of the growing need for equitable solutions in land acquisition processes. By addressing the concerns of the farming community, the Punjab government is seeking to maintain its support base among rural voters and ensure continued growth and development in the agricultural sector.