Himachal Congress President Sukhvinder Singh today denied the news reports of HP government challenging the rights in Hon’ble Supreme Court over Kashang Hydroelectric Project and said that the news items are distantly related to the facts of the case.
Sukhu said the HP Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL) has challenged the judgment of National Green Tribunal (NGT) passed in appeal No. 28 of 2013 on the issues relating to No Objection Certificate (NOC) from Lippa Panchayat and other issues including putting up the case for obtaining forest clearance to the litigants in the appeal. Sukhu, in a statement, clarified
“The judgment of NGT was challenged before the Hon’ble Supreme Court because certain directions of NGT were not feasible to be implemented. Hence the HPPCL had no option except to approach the Supreme Court of India to look into the directions issued by the NGT and to also clarify how these directions are to be complied with in the stipulated time,”
He said that some of the directions of the NGT required rectification to save the HPPCL from facing the contempt proceeding after the lapse of time for filing an appeal under NGT Act.
State Congress President said that it is improper to say that in the appeal before the apex court, HPPCL has acted against the interests of the rights of tribals. The state government has further added that all the concerns of the Lippa Panchayat with respect to their land, apprehension of drying up water sources and other social parameters are being fully addressed in the relief and rehabilitation (R&R) and LADA Policies applicable in HPPCL.
Earlier today it was reported the state government has filed a petition before the Supreme Court challenging the consent powers of tribals under the Forest Rights Act.
