CM for updating land acquisition process

Shimla, Nov 13 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today stressed the need for updating the land acquisition process in the state, saying this will prevent any delay in the execution of projects.

Delivering the inaugural address on ''Strengthening and Transforming Institutions for Management of Land Acquisition and Resettlement and Rehabilitation'' workshop here, he said the government was also considering a change in the existing land acquisition procedure laws for speeding up the whole process.

Mr Singh said although there had been some improvement in the land acquisition procedure, still there was a need to complete the entire process in a time bound manner to provide all possible help and benefits to the affected families.

In the absence of adequate compensation, the affected families approached the courts that further delayed the execution of the projects, he said, adding that the affected families should be provided compensation as per the existing market rates to prevent litigation.

Making a specific mention of the people affected due to the setting up of the Bhakra and pong dam in the state, he said even years after these projects were executed the affected people were yet to be resettled and rehabilitated.

The Chief Minister said the historic town of Bilaspur was submerged and over 12,000 people displaced during the setting up of the Bhakra Dam.

Himachal was only being provided 2.12 per cent of free power from the Bhakra Dam, while it had no share in power in the Pong Dam, which was feeding Rajasthan's irrigation channels besides generating power for Punjab, he said.

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