Itanagar, Sept. 26: Consistent efforts put in by Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu has borne fruit as the Union defence ministry, through a notification, has approved and sanctioned the long overdue land compensation for private land acquired by the army for defence purposes in the state.

It may be recalled that Khandu, during his visit to New Delhi earlier this month, had called on defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman and apprised her about the long-pending land cases and the need for its early disposal. Sitharaman had very promptly responded to Khandu's request and assured that she would visit the state in October end and sort out all the pending issues pertaining to land acquisition and compensation.

According to the notification dated September 19 issued by the defence ministry, sanction has been accorded for Rs 48,63,55,191 as being the land compensation amount for 177.03 acres of community land at Tenga garrison in West Kameng district which was acquired by the army for key location plan of formation/unit.

Similar sanction of land compensation was accorded for Rs 67,05,67,617 for establishing HQ 22 Infantry Brigade in an acquired private land of 341.882 acres at Bora Rupak village under Upper Subansiri district.

The defence ministry also accorded sanction to the tune of Rs 42,42,30,400 for housing key location plan units of Tawang garrison for an acquired land of 200.056 acres of private land at Bomja village under Mukto circle of Tawang district.

Khandu said this move of the Centre will further the cordial relations with the army and civilians and strengthen the bond and trust enjoyed by each other. He hoped the defence ministry would clear all other pending issues in a time-bound manner.

Khandu thanked Union minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju for his support in fulfilling the needs of the state.