HP to take back 'surplus, unutilised' land from project

The Himachal Pradesh government will undertake an "elaborate" exercise to identify and vest with it "surplus and unutilised" land lying with central and state departments and other developers, Industries Minister Mukesh Bhardwaj told the assembly today.
Replying to a private member resolution moved by Mohinder Singh of BJP, Agnihotri said the land would be made available for various development activities as the government has been facing shortage of suitable plots.
Moving the resolution, Singh said some trusts have land in possession far more than their requirement, while several hydel and other projects executed by the central and state agencies have been commissioned but the surplus lands were still with these projects and lying idle.

He also expressed concern that some industrial houses had taken land but were using it either for their personal use or had set up hotels in violation of conditions mentioned in the 'essentiality certificate'.
The state government should restore the surplus lands and re-allot the same to farmers whose lands had been acquired for projects on nominal payment, he said.
Maheshwar Singh of Himachal Lokhit Party claimed that the Punjab government was still occupying large tracts of land under Shanan Project in Kangra, which should be returned to Himachal Pradesh.
The minister assured the members that the matter regarding Shanan Project would be taken up with the Punjab government. Later on the assurance of the minister, Mahendra Singh withdrew his resolution.