Action will be taken to resolve the issues being faced by the Tehri dam displaced persons within two months. This decision was taken in the meeting of Union minister of State for Power, Rajkumar Singh with the delegation from Uttarakhand led by the state’s Irrigation minister Satpal Maharaj in New Delhi on Friday.
It was decided in the meeting that the 415 Tehri dam displaced families not yet rehabilitated will be provided land or fund. Agreement was reached on most issues and it was decided that the problems will be resolved in two months. The government of India power secretary and Uttarakhand irrigation secretary have been directed for valuation of the land of the displaced. Putting to rest speculation about shifting of the headquarters of THDC India Limited, Singh said that the headquarters will remain in Rishikesh. It was also decided that a policy will be prepared for periodic transfer and promotion of the THDCIL staff. Further, a committee will be formed soon to facilitate free sewer and water along with electricity at half rates for the Tehri dam displaced. It was also decided that seven boats and two buses will be operated for the Pratapnagar area affected by the dam. It was also decided in the meeting that 21 hectare land available with THDCIL will be returned to the eligible dam displaced. All the court cases filed by THDCIL in this regard will also be withdrawn.
Maharaj later informed that the meeting with the Union minister was quite fruitful. Singh listened to the problems of the dam displaced seriously and also spoke of resolving their issues outside the court. The Tehri MLA Dhan Singh Negi appreciated the decision taken to resolve the problems of the dam displaced people within two months. The Tehri MP Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Ghansali MLA Shakti Lal Shah, Pratapnagar MLA Vijay Singh Panwar and state irrigation secretary Nitesh Jha were also among those present in the meeting.
Saturday, 23 January 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
