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Loss of crops compensation for farmers
Following is a question by the Hon Albert Chan Wai-yip and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):
Question:
At present, the Government only grants ex-gratia compensation for crops cultivated within a distance of ten metres from the affected structures in "non- development clearances" (NDCs) of structures on agricultural land. The affected farmers generally have expressed great dissatisfaction with the compensation offered by the Government. Some of them even refuse to relocate, thus hampering the clearances. In view of this, the LegCo Panel on Planning, Lands and Works has urged the Government to review the existing policy on crop compensation. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a)
(b)
of the total amount of ex-gratia compensation for the loss of crops arising from NDCs paid in 1994/95; and
whether it has conducted a review of the method of calculating crop compensation for NDCs; if so, what the scope of the review is, what progress has been made; and when the review will be completed?
Answer:
Mr President,
(a)
(b)
The total amount of ex-gratia allowance for the loss of crops arising from NDCs paid in 1994-95 is $1.02 million.
A review on the policy on crop compensation in NDCs is underway. Its scope includes the eligibility criteria for crop compensation and the basis for the determination of the clearance area. This is a complex issue. Changes to the method for calculating the ex-gratia allowance may affect the timing of NDC programmes, in addition to financial and resources implications.
End/Wednesday, July 19, 1995