Land deal hampers nuclear project

JEPARA, Central Java: Only 200 of the 700 people who have to surrender their land for the construction of a controversial nuclear plant have accepted compensation, an official said.

Many have refused the compensation determined by the government on the grounds that it is too little, Jepara regency government spokesman Anwar Haryono said.

Since the land appropriation started in June, the government has spent almost Rp 5.2 billion (about US$2 million) to acquire 90 hectares of land in the Bondo village, he said.

The government is offering between Rp 2,000-Rp 6,000 for each square meter of land but many have demanded up to Rp 150,000, Haryono said.

"The demand is unrealistic. Even land in the township would not cost that much," he said (har/pan)