AAP protests Nangal land disputes with BBMB as leaseholders face eviction

The AAP dharna against BBMB continues at the Nangal dam, with party leaders from the area raising the issue of land disputes with the Board. Sanjeev Gautam, chairman of Guru Ravidas Ayurvedic University, led a delegation of AAP leaders to meet Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann during his recent visit to Nangal.

Gautam stated that many Bhakra dam oustees and traders were settled in the Nangal town by BBMB in the 1960s and were given plots and shops on lease. Despite being settled there for over 60 years, many face eviction cases due to minor offenses, such as alterations to their 60-year-old buildings.

The residents have requested BBMB to settle their leases or transfer the lands to their names at commercial rates, but no policy has been framed. Gautam added that the CM was urged to regularise the land in the names of leaseholders, allowing them reprieve from BBMB’s cases.

Additionally, Nangal residents on BBMB-leased properties aren’t benefiting from the Punjab Government’s schemes, including 300 units of free power. BBMB provides its own power connections, but doesn’t offer the same benefits.

Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said the matter has been brought to the CM’s notice and is being looked into. Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains alleged that BBMB and National Fertilisers Limited’s (NFL) control over Nangal’s land hinders development and suggested the government consider taking over vacant BBMB land for developmental projects.