HP Govt committed to safeguarding interests of Pong Dam oustees

Shimla, May 1 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Gulab Singh Thakur today said the state government was committed to safeguarding the interests of the Pong Dam oustees as they had sacrificed their fertile land and ancestral property for construction of Pong Dam in the interest of the nation.

While presiding over the meeting of Pong Dam Oustees Committe here, Mr Thakur said that Supreme Court had directed the Rajasthan Government to provide 1188 murabbas of land to the oustees families, but these families were still waiting for their legitimate rights.

He said that all the oustees who had secured eligibility certificate should be settled. He also underlined the need for rehabilitaion of about 4,369 oustees, including some cases rejected under Section 5(2) and 5(3) of colonisation rule, 1972 or Rajasthan government.

He said that state government would take up the matter with Rajasthan government at the highest level so as to redress the grievances of oustees amicably. He said that sub-committee would also be constituted to prepare their demands so that the same could be discussed with Rajasthan Government.

UNI XC AS PS RL AS1751