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The Government has decided to hold off temporarily the clearance of Tsz Tin Tsuen in Tuen Mun Area 54 Site 2 originally scheduled for today (September 9).
A government spokesman said that the clearance is to make way for the construction of about 5,000 public rental housing units due for completion in 2016.
The spokesman said, "The Government is committed to carrying out the public housing projects in Area 54, Tuen Mun. All statutory procedures for the clearance operation have been duly completed and the clearance operation is in strict compliance with the law.
"Noting that some households need more time to move out of their premises, the Government decided to grant a grace period of about two weeks to September 27 (Monday) for them to make the necessary preparations.
"Relevant government departments have been assisting affected households in re-housing arrangements. As of today, around 25 households have indicated that they would not move out.
"Cases that merit special rehousing consideration have all been looked into carefully and all legitimate requests have been addressed."
The spokesman said that any further postponement of the clearance will delay the provision of public housing units to shorten the waiting time of some 130,000 applications for public housing.
In accordance with prevailing compensation policy for land resumption, the Government will adhere to the ex-gratia compensation rate of $474 per square foot of agricultural land. Apart from one permanent structure, all the domestic premises involved in the clearance are temporary structures.
"Concerned departments will ensure that the removal exercise will be implemented smoothly," the spokesman added.
Ends/Thursday, September 9, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:20
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