Pong Dam oustees’ issues top priority of govt: Minister Negi

Horticulture and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said resolving the long-pending issues of Pong Dam oustees remains a top priority for the state government.

He was presiding over a review meeting of the governing body of Pong Dam oustees in Dharamsala on Saturday. Indora MLA Malendra Rajan, Dehra MLA Kamlesh Thakur, senior officials and non-official members attended the meeting.

Negi said of the 16,352 displaced families, 9,905 had already been allotted land in Rajasthan, while the process for the remaining eligible families was underway. The delay, he explained, was mainly due to pending Supreme Court cases and the slow pace of land allotment by the Rajasthan government.

The minister said the Himachal Pradesh government was in constant touch with Rajasthan authorities to expedite the process. Teams of officials were being regularly sent to conduct site inspections, settle pending cases and identify additional land for allotment.

He said a request would be placed before the Chief Minister to convene a high-level meeting between the Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan to resolve issues related to land allotment, court proceedings, surveys, compensation and lease of lands.

Negi also said the government would take steps to prevent losses in downstream areas in the event of sudden water release from the dam. He announced the formation of a special technical committee, headed by the Chief Engineer (Planning), Jal Shakti and Power Departments, to carry out a scientific flood study and submit a detailed report to the government.