Govt blamed for delayed compensation

Court suggests CDA make govt a respondent.

ISLAMABAD:

The federal government was sent a letter to allocate funds so that the villagers affected by the acquisition of sectors H-16 and I-17 can be compensated. But, the counsel for the Capital Development Authority in the Islamabad High Court said on Wednesday, they did not give a positive response.

IHC Justice Noorul Haq suggested making the govt a party to the case, before adjourning till next week.

To make the federal government a respondent, the counsel will have to attach a civil miscellaneous application with the original petition, which can take up to a day.

The CDA had acquired land for these two sectors in 2009, but was unable to compensate more than 500 affected villagers. During the day’s proceedings, CDA Land Director Fariduddin placed a land-sharing formula before the court, saying that through a sharing policy, the authority can develop sectors and turn over possession within one year. But Raja Inam Amin Minhas, counsel for the petitioners, rejected the proposal, calling it a delaying tactic.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 29^th, 2012.