RESETTLEMENT OF TEMPORARY OCCUPATION LICENCE LAND (Payment of compensation)

The following Question stood in the name of Mr Chiam See Tong -

Mr Chiam See Tong: To ask the Minister for National Development whether his Ministry pays compensation in respect of resettlement of Temporary Occupation Licence land; and, if so, whether payment is made in full on all agreements for payments of compensation in relation to such resettlement.

Mr Bernard Chen (Pasir Panjang GRC): Question No. 2, Sir.

Mr Dhanabalan: Mr Speaker, Sir, I note that the Member for Potong Pasir is not here but I will answer the Question.

The conditions in the TOL for State land do not require the Government to pay any compensation to the holder of a TOL on State land.

However, the Government offers, on compassionate grounds, ex-gratia payment and priority for alternative accommodation to alleviate the hardship of those affected by clearance. The assistance offered is subject to the following conditions:-

a) The occupiers must be in physical occupation of the land before the eligibility cut-off date.

b) Their approved improvements or structures on the land must be erected before the eligibility cut-off date.

In all cases, payment is made in accordance with the prescribed rates and guidelines of the resettlement policy.