Mankotia demands shutting down of few mini hydel projects around Dharamsala

Dharamsala, September 5, 2013: The ex-minister of Himachal Pradesh and senior leader of Congress Maj. Vijay Singh Mankotia has written a request to the chief minister Himachal Pradesh Vir Bhadra Singh to constitute an inquiry commission on the so-called heavy irregularities of few Mini Power projects working around Dharamsala.
He demanded the immediate closure till green signaled by commission. Mankotia alleged, “Because of the violations of all norms by these firms the villages near the project sites are facing danger of extinction.”
He said that Dhiyara village near Boh and Uni village near Chari are sinking-sliding and hundreds of villagers are either shifting or living under the blanket of fear.
Mankotia said, “These allotments were made by the previous BJP government of the state compromising with the norms to help their close associates.”
Speaking to the media persons here on Thursday Mankotia said, “I approached the district administration many times but it seems that administration is chair bound now, as none of the official visited these affected areas.”
He said that ex-president of Boh Panchayat Gagan Singh, who is the husband of present pradhan Boh Panchayat has got an information on a RTI from Forest Department Dharamsala. This has also indicated the major violation of norms in the power project near the village.
Mankotia said, “Recently some area of Teera Lines on Dharamsala –Mecleodganj road slided destroying around two dozen houses, due to the unprecedented rainy weather, which started in June and is still on. Now similar danger is prevailing on Dhiyara and Uni villages, where ecology and environment was unbalanced by the owners of mini hydel  projects-who are doing illegally cutting and felling trees, illegally  mining and doing unauthorised  dumping of waste, creating blockage to the streams.”

Major Vijay Singh Mankotia addressing the media parsons at Dharamsala on Thursday.

City Air News photo: Shyam Shayma, Dharamsala.