New Delhi, 05 Jan 2007
Tehri Hydro Development Corp has moved the Supreme Court challenging Uttaranchal High Court`s judgement asking it to enhance compensation to people affected by the Tehri Hydel power project.
A division bench of Justice H K Sema and Justice P K Balasubramanyan has issued notice to the state government asking for explanation for additional compensation to oustees, who had already been given alternative land and accommodation.
The land acquisition act was being used as “bonanza by oustees just to get inflated prices for their lands despite they being given plots/flats”, THDC said in its petition.
Enhanced compensation would put the company`s financial condition in doldrums, which would face difficulties in carrying out the development work, the petition filed through counsel D K Garg said.
The cost of the 2,400 MW power project had increased from its estimated Rs 5,000 crores due to providing alternative land and other facilities, it said.
The court had earlier observed that rehabilitation and support to rebuild their livelihood was of primary issue as the Tehri power project would submerge 37 villages, partially affect 88 villages and the old Tehri town.
The entire Tehri township and surrounding villages were acquired under the act for construction of Tehri dam project at confluence of rivers Bhagirathi and Bhilangana in the state.
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