Locals unhappy with hydel compensation

Dhading, November 28

The locals living in areas affected by the 1,200MW Budhigandaki Hydro Power Project in Gorkha have expressed strong dissatisfaction over the compensation they are to receive.

The discontented families staged a protest demanding increment in compensation after the District Compensation Fixation Committee proposed to provide a minimum of Rs 5.24 lakh to a maximum of Rs 8.35 lakh per household.

Budhigandaki Hydro Project National Stakeholders’ Committee has served a three-day ultimatum to rectify the compensation amount in a notice.

“In case the concerned body fails to rectify the compensation within three days, we will launch a stern protest programme, and padlock the office,” said Coordinator of the committee Hareram Dhakal.

He warned they would not allow project development staff members to enter the affected areas if the compensation was not altered scientifically.

The victims have demanded equal compensation to all, classification of land as per present value, and guaranteed rehabilitation, among others.

A meeting of the Compensation Fixation Committee led by Chief District Officer Narayan Prasad Bhatta, had on Saturday, decided to provide compensation to owners of 30,078 ropani land of 14 VDCs, based on 11 different categories.

As many as 14 VDCs of Gorkha and 13 of Dhading are said to have been inundated while the hydro project is under construction, as per sources. Though compensation for affected areas in Gorkha has been proposed, it is yet to be proposed in Dhading.