Jhapa. Technical work has started for the construction of Nepal-China friendly industrial park laid by the then Prime Minister KP Oli in his hometown Damak on February 3. The Chinese team has already started field and soil testing. The park will be built by China’s Lhasa Economic and Technology Development Zone Jingping Joint Construction. The Board of Investment has already approved a budget of around Rs 65 billion for this.
The government estimates that the 21-bigha industrial park will change the face of the country. However, the multi-billion dollar industrial sector has not been able to bring happiness to the affected people. Nanda Kishore Basnet, chairman of the Industrial Area Management Limited, informed that the Chinese team has started work for the construction of the industrial park, which was hastily laid down as the compensation dispute could not be resolved.
The government has mentioned in the budget of FY 078 and 79 that the construction of the industrial park will be completed within two years. According to the master plan, the Chinese team has returned to Kathmandu after working on soil testing and where to build the wall. He is working from Kathmandu, ‘he said,’ After the Board of Investment approves the project development agreement, we will start working in the field. Even now the work has not stopped. The government claims that the Chinese team has started work. However, the Nepal-China friendly industrial park and the government have not yet been able to manage the local land. Citizens of the affected areas are not worried about resettlement.
No. Sarki of Kamal Gaonpalika-7 Jharka is very much reminded of Oli’s speech when he came near his house on 16 February. Laying the foundation stone of the China-Nepal Friendship Industrial Park near his house, Oli assured that the government was on the side of the poor. He had said to some people, “There is no hunger, there is no hunger.” But Sarki fears he will starve.
He owns 18 katthas of land in a nearby park. The land is wealthy. Land tax and taxes have also been paid. However, he did not receive compensation for not having a map. Now they are living in another house, which is in a state of disrepair. Now that the land has become an industry, he is worried about where to go. Encouraged by Oli’s speech at the groundbreaking ceremony, he is now disappointed. KP Oli had said that no one should starve to death, no one should be poor. However, Sarki says, “No one will go hungry after the land is taken away by the industry.” But, there is nothing that can be done after getting up and living.
Dispute resolution initiatives will be initiated only after the situation improves
Chairman of the Industrial Area Management Limited Basnet Sukumbasi says that the problem has arisen only on 25 to 40 bighas of land. He said that an initiative would be taken to resolve the dispute once the situation calms down. “We will take the initiative to resolve the dispute once the situation becomes comfortable with the Land Revenue, Survey and CDO offices. Even after the foundation stone was laid, we went to solve the problem. Later, the lockdown created a problem, ‘he said. We will move towards a solution by sitting with the concerned body. ‘
He said that the nearby land received a lot of compensation and the neighbors got less. “The chief district officer has the sole authority to decide how much compensation to pay. “We will give as much as you want,” he said. We are the body that gives money. We have asked the Chief District Officer to solve the problem as soon as possible.
Chairman of the China-Nepal Friendship Industrial Park Govinda Thapa said that no one would be treated unfairly. He said that the squatters who have been living in the area for a long time and those who have not received the compensation due to lack of map will be given it after completing the legal process.
An industrial park is being built in an area of 2100 bighas
For the China-Nepal friendly industrial park to be built in the area of 2100 bighas of Damak-10, Kamal-7 and Gauradaha-5, 742 bighas of private land in the area of 2100 bighas will have to be acquired. Out of that, only 411 bighas of compensation has been distributed. Distribution has not been possible due to the remaining disputes. The foundation stone of such a big project was laid by the then Prime Minister Oli without compensating the people there for land and houses. Due to which, the affected people have already got the signal to revolt by the government.
A pillar has been laid in front of the house of Makhumaya Chemjong of Gauradaha-5 Baluwathan as an industrial park. His one bigha five kattha land is in the industrial park. His house is also there. ‘A big industry is coming near the house. But, I’m not happy. He pays eight lakhs as compensation for my land. Ray gave up to 28 lakhs of bigha to others. All the land is here. “What can we do with eight lakhs?” She says. They made us squatters. ‘
In the past, the river Ratuwa used to flow on his land every year. How many times has the house been submerged? It was difficult to reach Damak without a bridge over the Ratuwa River. The river Ratuwa was embanked. The bridge was also built. However, Chemjong’s family revolted. “It simply came to our notice then. But, the problem has got worse, ‘she says.
An industry is being set up near the house of Basu Prasad Pathak of Kamal-7 Jharka. But, Vasuprasad is more worried than happy. The industrial park is taking the house and 14 katthas of land that have been used for generations. Even if he got compensation, he would be safe. However, it is not decided to get compensation. ‘I have been paying property and land taxes for years. I also have a wealth certificate. However, it is not on the map yet. It has not been decided yet to get compensation, ‘he says.’ Those who do not have land are happy when the industry comes. We are worried about where we will live tomorrow. ‘ Newspaper daily
