Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced a special rehabilitation and assistance package for the displaced persons from around the Lingaraj Temple under the Ekamra Yojana of the State Government.

While assistances would be provided for shifting of residential houses, mutts and shops, the acquired would be recorded in the name of Lord Shree Lingaraj. Plates containing the names of land donors would be put up in the project area.

Notably, the proposed Ekamra Yojana would work in an area of 65 acres around the Lingaraj Temple.

As per the package, residential houses would be purchased directly from owners and compensation will be paid as per Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act 2013. If any person wants to take land for land, he would be given land at a different place. In case, the cost of alternative land is less than the acquired land, the displaced would be given the balance amount.

Each displaced family would be given Rs 1 lakh promptly towards transport cost. Similarly, persons seeking land for land would be given Rs 15,000 per month towards rent for 12 months,. Each house owner would be given Rs 20 lakh as rehabilitation assistance at once.

Those who will quit shops established own land would also be given Rs 1 lakh for transportation and Rs 15,000 rent for month for shops of 200 sq metre or less built up area till they get a shop house at different place. Those having for shops of 200 sq metre and above built up area wood get Rs 20,000 per month for rent till they get a shop house at different place.

Shops will be provided to the displaced shop owners at half the price. They can also opt for one-time Rs 20 lakh assistance.

Makeshift shop owners would be provided one-time assistance of Rs 30,000 in two installments. Besides, vending zones would be allocated

to them as per the Street Vending Plan.

Assistance for Government offices and establishments would be decided by a committee led by Bhubaneswar Municipal Commissioner.

The commissioner would decide on land allotment and preservation of the mutts after holding discussion with the Khordha district Collector and beneficiaries.

After the notification for land allotment, if someone donates his/her land within 30 days, the land owner will be given 10 per cent additional amount, the CMO release added.