SHIMLA: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur freshly urged the Union Government to resolve pending cases of Pong Dam oustees in accordance with the decision of Supreme Court at the earliest. He also urged Home Minister Amit Shah to Ensure Himachal's share in all BBMB power projects as per its 8.19 per cent share norm as enunciated in the Punjab Reorganisation Act.
Himachal Pradesh has been taking these issues in the last 29 council meetings down the line, but the neighbouring states have been giving a damn to all of its pleas.
Even Supreme Court has given a clear cut judgment in favour of Himachal, but these states have chosen to sweep its verdict under the carpet making mockery of everything.
There were also occasions when the states- Himachal, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan- had the governments headed by the same parties, even then nothing substantial came out from these council meetings over the years.
This time also Jai Ram Thakur reiterated these demands at the council, but there seems only "bare optimism" on the part of the state while the "incorrigible neighbours" remained unimpressed over these "pleas" so far.
This is more so this time as Punjab, Rajasthan are ruled by AAP and Congress respectively- both "electoral foes of the BJP" in the region.
There is widespread perception in the state that both Centre and Neighboring states are turning a blind eye to Himachal's demands because it has just four Lok Sabha MPs and three Rajya Sabha MPs to raise these demands and forcing Centre and nieghtbours to hear, accept and implement these demands.
But Jai Ram Thakur sounded an optimism while taking up the same old demands with these "indifferent neighbours".
In his address at the 30th meeting of North Zonal Council held at Jaipur on Saturday, Thakur said people of the state have suffered the pain of displacement for the construction of Pong dam and other hydroelectric projects.
He said that 2.25 lakh acres of land was reserved in Rajasthan to rehabilitate 16,352 displaced Himachalis due to the construction of Pong Dam.
He said that out of these, only 8,713 displaced were provided land/murabbas so far.
The meeting was presided over by Union Home Minister Amit Shah which was attended by Chief Ministers and Lieutenant Governor of eight states/Union Territories.
They discussed issues related with Law & Order, internal security, border areas and inter-state water issues at the meeting.
Jai Ram Thakur said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid foundation stone of Renuka ji dam project worth Rs. 7000 crore to be constructed on Giri river in Sirmaur district on 27th December 2021.
He said that this 40 MW project would produce 200 million units of energy annually. This will meet 40 percent of the drinking water requirements of Delhi, he added.
Chief Minister appreciated the decision of the Centre Government to ban single use plastic in the country.
He said Atal Rohtang Tunnel has boosted tourism business in the State, facilitating the quick movement of military forces to borders of the country bordering China.
Jai Ram Thakur said share of Himachal Pradesh in the BBMB projects was 7.19 percent, yet the State does not have the status of a full time member.
He said over one lakh acres of fertile land of the State was submerged in Bhakra project and 65,563 acres of land in Dehar and Pong projects of Beas river.
But the State has not been given the right to proper use of electricity and water from these reservoirs.
Jai Ram Thakur also took up the matter of construction of four-lanning of Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh road stretch.
Chief Minister also expressed his concern over the drug abuse in the region saying that Himachal Pradesh government is running an awareness campaign, especially among the youth, to bring awareness about the ill effects of drugs.
He urged all the states to take a pledge to make this campaign more effectively to eradicate this social vice.
He also took up the matter of providing the telecom connectivity to 585 uncovered remote villages of the State at the council meeting.
Chief Minister suggested a few amendment in the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
He reiterated commitment of the State to protect interests of women and prevent incidents of crime against them.
He said complete investigation of cases registered under Section 376 and POCSO Act is being ensured within 60 days.
Thakur said the Superintendents of Police have been asked to keep an eye on the ITSSO portal regularly. The compliance rate has increased from 49.9 percent in 2020 to 82.2 percent in 2022, Thakur added.
Thakur also urged the Union Government for speedy redressal of long pending issue of rail connectivity to Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial area of the State.
CM said over 1.71 lakh farmers have been benefited by natural farming in the state and 9421 hectare area has been covered under it.
At the end of the day, will oustees, who remained unrehabilitated even after decades get justice?
Will Himachal Get its due share in BBMB projects or will PSEB hand over the Shanan project Jogindernagar to Himachal- all these demands still hover in the airs in the region so far.
