The compensation rate for land to be acquired for the Diamer Bhasha Dam Project (DBDP) in Kohistan District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) will be identical to the compensation rate for Gilgit Baltistan (GB), Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) Chairman Shakil Durrani assured KP Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti in a meeting.
A WAPDA press release said Rs 92 million had already been deposited with the Kohistan District Collector for the task while the additional amount vis-à-vis enhanced rates of land will also be transferred to the collector within 15 days for dispatch to land owners. In June 2011, Kohistan District Administration demanded enhanced rates as compensation for land in Kohistan District.
An agreement was reached at the office of the Hazara Division Commissioner where it was mutually agreed that rate of compensation for Kohistan affactees will be equal with rates approved by the Ministerial Committee constituted for District Diamer in GB. The rate adopted will be Rs 100,000 per kanal for barren land and Rs 259,000 per kanal for cultivated land.
The total compensation for Kohistan district increases from Rs 92 million to Rs 262 million. The press release promised the amount will be made available to the Kohistan District Collector within 15 days for disbursement to Kohistan landowners.
