'HPPCL to award compensation for land acquired for Renuka Dam'

The principal bench of NGT, a judicial body for hearing environment-related cases, yesterday vacated its interim stay for awarding compensation in lieu of acquisition of private land for the project, to be constructed on a tributary of the Yamuna River in Sirmaur district, some 250 kms from Delhi.

However, the tribunal did not vacate its stay on land covered under the Forest Conservation Act and listed the matter for final hearing on August 14.

General Manager of the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (HPPCL), a public sector undertaking executing the project, B K Kaushal said, "We have been allowed to award land compensation worth Rs 200 crore".

The bench headed by Justice C V Ramalu said, "Since land acquisition was finalised in respect of some land owners and compensation was paid, we think it is desirable that other similarly placed persons should also get compensation".

"The counsel for the appellant, however, stated that land in question was probably covered under Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.

"Under these circumstances, we direct the land acquisition officer to consider payment of compensation after finalising of award in respect of lands of the true owners, who are the owners of the said land, wherever it does not attract the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act", the bench also comprising D K Agrawal, an expert, said.

The Renuka Dam project, on completion, envisaged supply of 275 million gallons of water per day to Delhi and also generate 40 MW of electricity for Himachal. (MORE)