Patna,(BiharTimes): The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the Digha Land Acquisition Settlement Scheme 2014. 

Thus now those occupying the 680 acres of land for the last many years will have to pay as per the government approved rate in installments to make their plots legal.

Over the last few decades illegal constructions have come up over the land acquired by the Bihar State Housing Board. Several attempts were made in 1990s by the then Lalu-Rabri government to demolish them, but the move was resisted. 

The state government had already passed the Digha Acquired Land Settlement Act, 2010 to offer a solution to those who have constructed houses on those plots.

Principal secretary, cabinet coordination department, Brajesh Mehrotra told the media after the cabinet meeting that three-member Digha Land Acquisition Settlement Authority had been set up to facilitate and monitor the settlement process. The chairman of Bihar State Housing Board would head it while its two other members would be the revenue officer, Bihar State Housing Board and ADM, Patna.

He said for those possessing residential plot of two kathas, 25% amount would have to be paid in first installment after 90 days of the notification.

The second installment of another 25% amount would be required between the 91st and 120th days. The occupant would have to pay the remaining 50% between the 121st and 180th days of the notification.

Similarly those having more than two kathas of residential plot will have to pay 50% of the total amount in the first installment, but it will be 75% for those having residential plots on the main road. Those who are having commercial plot will have to pay 100% amount in the first go.

As per the cabinet decision the price of the said plot would be finalized as per the government approved rate by the Patna registrar offic. For the remaining 344 acres of land, ex gratia amount would be given to those landowners who were not given the compensation amount.

It needs to be mentioned that the Housing Board had acquired around 1,024 acres of prime land in 1973 from landowners. 

But many of them were not given the compensation amount.