more-in A 15-day strike by the Kazhakuttam-Karode Bypass Action Council in May demanding more compensation for those who surrendered land in the Kottukal-Karode corridor of the 43-km Kazhakuttam-Karode National Highway 66 bypass has earned results. On the basis of a recommendation by the then District Collector S. Venkatesapathy, who was appointed Arbitrator, the National Highways Authority of India has sanctioned ?1.39 crore to the first 20 of the 400 complainants. 9% interest The sanctioned amount is 15% higher than the ?3.25 lakh a cent fixed by the district administration. In addition, 9% interest will also be provided from the date of notification. The council was demanding ?5.25 lakh a cent for category A land and 10% less for other four categories of land as fixed by District Purchase Committee that met on October 9, 2013. Those who were affected from Chenkal and Karode villages opposed it and district administration unilaterally announced ?3.25 lakh. Lower rate Council president V. Sudhakaran, who spearheaded the agitation that led to the stoppage of work on the 16.3 km Mukkola-Karode corridor by EPC contractor L&T Construction, said on Tuesday that even the enhanced compensation was less than the amount fixed by the District Purchase Committee in 2013 and the prevailing market rate. The council’s main demand was that the five villages be treated as one village and for each set of plots falling under a category, same price be given as compensation. They also sought 30% solatium as given to the Karamana-Kaliyikkavila NH 66; 14% interest for delay; and rehabilitation of those who lost jobs and were rendered homeless. Remaining petitions District Collector K. Vasuki will hear the remaining petitions filed by the affected from Wednesday and make recommendations. As many as 1,400 petitions were filed by the affected.

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