Hydel project runs into rough weather,religious body says desecration of area

Faced with growing opposition and tension in the area,Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had last month directed Kullu Deputy Commissioner B M Nanta to hold a public hearing at the site while also giving,the promoters of the project,an opportunity to explain their stand.

Said Deepak Sanan,principal secretary (Power) “ Due to the opposition,we have written to the private promoters advising them to stop work and resolve the issue by holding talks with the locals. The local administration has also stated that the opposition is quite strong. We have taken a firm view on the issue and thus have sent an advisory before there is a law and order problem at the site”.

When approached,deputy commissioner,Kullu said,“ I have done the hearing and submitted the report to the government. It’s up to the government or cabinet to take a final view on the project in view of the stiff public opposition there”.

Last month,a delegation of the Kullu’s Kardars – which is considered as a representative body of the followers of all deities in the district – met the chief minister who was in town for the the Dussehra festival and submitted a resolution passed by the organisation’s general body.

Said Gupt Ram,president of the kardar body,“ Nothing less than scrapping of the project is acceptable to the affected panchayats. The company which was allotted the project has encroached upon public land and has taken a no objection certificate (NOC) from a different panchayat,instead of Vashisth which is the core area .If the government fails to take a decision,the people will dismantle the project infrastructure”.

The delegation though was also assured by Kullu-Manali MLA,Govind Thakur that appropriate action,respecting the people’s sentiments will be taken. “ Why can’t the government pass orders,or at least stop work at the site if it is serious about honouring our sentiments”,said a local at Sarabai rest house of HPSEB.

When asked about the government’s stand,Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said,“ Deputy commissioner’s report on the public hearing has been received. The government is studying the report”. The issue was also raised in the Assembly by CLP leader Vidya Stokes and BJP ‘s Kullu-Manali MLA Govind Thakur . The project,sanctioned by the previous Congress government is at the final stage of execution and efforts are on enhance its capacity. This new development has become the cause of trouble for it’s Kullu-based private promoters.