Punjab Government on Wednesday decided to set up a high-level committee to resolve issues relating to acquisition of land for setting up military facilities in the State. Besides, another panel would address infrastructural and garbage dumping problems around the Chandigarh air station.
The decisions were taken during a liaison meeting between the civil and military administration with top government and army officials participating in the parleys aimed at sorting out various ongoing issues and preparing a mechanism to address any such issues that may crop up in the future.
The committees will meet regularly to take timely decisions, an official spokesperson said after the meeting, adding that the officials of the government and the armed forces would be part of the panels.
The committee, proposed to be set up to look into Chandigarh airport problems, would be headed by Secretary Civil Aviation and would also have a representative of the airport authorities.
The meeting discussed problems relating to acquisition of land for various facilities for the armed forces, development of access roads and railways crossings at strategic places, bird menace arising out of dumping of garbage around Air Force stations, illegal mining and storage around vital installations, etc.
General Officer Commander-in-Chief (GOC-in-C), Western Command lt General Surinder Singh and Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh suggested formation of a joint committee of mid-level officers to meet on a regular basis, instead of once a year, to resolve all issues relating to land acquisition or exchange. The GOC-in-C suggested quarterly meetings of the proposed committee.
Government officials informed the meeting that one of the key demands of the military for acquisition of 388 acres of five kanal and 13 marlas land to strength security around Air Force station, Barnala, had been pending due to delay in release of funds to PWD to compensation for construction of a new road post acquisition.
The issue of acquisition of five Bighas and nine Biswas land in Bhabat village, for passage of Air Force between air force stations at Chandigarh and Highgrounds, was also under consideration and the process would be initiated once the government approval comes, the meeting was further apprised.
The meeting also discussed the military’s concern regarding throwing of mud and cow-dung heaps, as well as illegal constructions in the notified area, affecting security of Chandigarh airport and impeding movement of vehicles through emergency exits.
Besides removing the mud and cow-dung from the spot, the Mohali district authorities have put a stop on further unauthorised constructions in Jagatpur and Kandala villages. It was decided that regular checks be carried out to prevent such constructions in the future and efforts be made to restrict the traffic of heavy vehicles near the Air Force Station.
The armed forces also expressed concern over drainage connectivity for Air Force Station Chandigarh, with the airport getting flooded quite frequently during monsoons. The authorities in Mohali and Zirakpur had already initiated work to ensure regular cleaning of the drains as well as removal of illegal encroachments that had led to blockage of drains.
On the issue of land at village Bir Gugiana, district Faridkot, which is notified with the Army authorities for training and manoeuvre activities up to July 2020, Capt Amarinder agreed to extend the notification for another 10 years, till 2030 and assured the meeting that the extension would be granted at least a year before the current notification is scheduled to expire.
Faridkot Deputy Commissioner has, meanwhile, been directed to expeditiously decide the court case pending in the matter, as per the provisions of the law.
It was also decided at the meeting to set up a committee, under Secretary Civil Aviation, to resolve the problem of dumping of garbage at Kambali village, which was causing increase in bird activities and resulting in serious flight safety hazard for operations at the Chandigarh airbase. The committee would comprise army officers, airport director and officials of the Punjab government.
Responding to the G-o-C’s concern on filling of posts reserved for ex-servicemen, the Chief Minister said that the Guardians of Governance had already appointed 3000 ex-servicemen, which will be gradually increased to 13,000.