STATE TIMES NEWS
DRABSHALLA: Congress Vice President J and K and MLA Inderwal, G. M. Saroori along with thousands of people from Tehsil Drabshalla, Bunjwah and Sub-Division Thathri at Drabshallah about 25 km from Kishtwar, on Tuesday blocked the traffic on Batote-Kishtwar National Highway for about four hours to protest against the GVK Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. and LNT ECC Company who are constructing 850 MW Rattle Hydro Electric Power Project on River Chenab in Drabshalla.
Speaking on the occasion, Saroori said Rattle Power Project is the first mega hydropower project being constructed in the State on Built, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis but the companies failed to start the work on this prestigious project and also failed to give adequate land compensation to the inhabitants of the villages Drabshalla, Kandani, Seeghad in Drabshalla set to be dislocated due to project.
He asked GVK Management to resume the work on the project within a month time or to leave the project and give other companies a chance that are financially good to construct this project as almost more than Rupees five thousands crores will be the expenditure to construct this project.
“There are thousands of unemployed youths in Drabshalla, Saroor, Bunjwah, Thathri, Kahara, Kishtwar and other adjoining areas who are having vast experience in handling various kinds of machineries being used in hydroelectric projects and also from projects like 390 Dool-Hasti Power Project and 450 MW Baghliar Power Project”, Saroori said and added that after resuming work on the project unemployed youth could get the opportunity of employment in the said project.
Taking strong note over the mismanagement of GVK and L&T Companies, Saroori said that these two companies have made the project in worst condition as presently the liability pending on account of various components including work done by contractors, labour wages, compensation on account of land and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Plan is still pending.
Later Additional District Developmental Commissioner Kishtwar, Avtar Singh Chib reached the spot with Additional SP Kishtwar Abdul Qayoom and assured that district administration will take up the matter with GVK Managements for resuming the work and clearing all the balance liabilities of Sub-Contractor, wages of the labourers and also assured that won’t let L&T Company to take machinery from Drabshalla area till the management clears all the pending liabilities.
After getting assurance from the authorities, the protestors relented and ended the blockade but Saroori threatened to intensify after one month if liability is not cleared and if management won’t resume the work.
