Thakur appeal to Centre on Himachal hydro power project

BJP MP Anurag Thakur today urged the Centre to ensure that interests of people affected by an upcoming hydro power project in Himachal Pradesh are protected.
Thakur met Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia here to raise the plight of people affected by the 800 MW Kol Dam project being executed by the National Thermal Power Corporation in Bilaspur district of the hill state.
He urged the minister to consider the demands of the ousted people and take necessary action to provide immediate relief. He also stressed on the need for establishing a Hydro Engineering College in Bilaspur, which had been consented to by the previous Power Minister and was to be funded by the NTPC and NHPC.

The demands of the people affected by the Kol Dam project include a permanent job for a member of each family or a compensation of Rs 25 lakh, free supply of electricity from the power project, 30 per cent jobs in upcoming hydro-engineering colleges and free treatment at the NTPC dispensary.
He said while dams are of great importance for agriculture and energy needs, they cannot be built on the "misery" of those who have been ousted from their homes.