Panel to settle Bhakra oustees’ issues : CM

Shimla, August 20 

The government has decided to constitute a special committee under the chairmanship of the Financial Commissioner (Revenue) to resolve the issues being faced by Bhakra Dam oustees.

This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who also holds the revenue portfolio, during Question Hour today. Little could be heard during Question Hour following sloganeering by Congress legislators, who sat in the well of the House before staging a walkout. 

The issue was raised by BJP legislator JR Katwal. “The committee will submit its report within three months so that the issues pertaining to the oustees can be settled,” he said.

Katwal pointed  out that many oustees had been labelled as encroachers despite the fact that they got uprooted to pave the way for the Bhakra dam. “Their electricity and water connections have been snapped,” the MLA said.  

Many oustees had raised their houses on the land which had not been allotted to them. They got uprooted when Bhakra dam was to be made, but they are being treated like encroachers. — TNS