FAISALABAD, Feb 8: The Land Acquisition Collector (LAC) has shown his inability to resolve the issue of payment of compensation to the farmers of five villages who had sold their land to the Faisalabad Industrial Estate and Management and Development Company (FIEMDC), Dawn learnt on Thursday.

Sources told this correspondent that the LAC had submitted a request to the revenue department stating that he could not perform the job well as he had never served as LAC and had no experience of land acquisition process.

They said the LAC submitted that M-3 industrial estate was a mega project of the Punjab government and the process of award of compensation was yet to begin. The visit of president for the M-3 project was expected shortly which required immediate disposal of the case, they quoted the LAC as saying.

On his request, sources said, the revenue department had decided to place a tehsildar with the LAC for immediate disbursement of compensation.

They said government wanted to resolve the issue before the president’s visit to the district.

It may be recalled the FIEMDC was entrusted the task of establishing the Value Addition City, Textile City and M-3 Industrial Estate involving investment of billions of rupees. It acquired the land of Chaks 144 RB, 152 RB, 157 RB, 161 RB and 186 RB for the projects. The possession of the entire land was handed over to the FIEDMC without permitting farmers to remove their belongings. The farmers raised hue and cry and called for payment of compensation.

On the demands of farmers, most of whom are not well off, the LAC, with the help of revenue staff, had conducted a survey in August-September 2004 to determine the amount of compensation. The data was sent to the forest, agriculture and buildings departments for assessment.

Even after one-and-a-half years, the poor farmers are running from pillar to post to get their dues.