Imphal, May 17: Consequent upon objections raised by National Hydro Po-wer Corporation (NHPC) to findings and recommendations of the expert committee constituted by the State Government to provide compensation to the farmers affected by Loktak Hydro Electric Power Project, the committee has geared up to take the issue to relevant court.

While the expert committee was undertaking minute scrutiny of facts and figures and to put the same to the court to ensure adequate compensation to the affected villagers, NHPC raised a number of objections to its findings and recommendations.

NHPC contends that fin-dings of the committee concerning the affected areas need a thorough verification.

It further asserted that the Corporation does not violate the �detailed project report� given by the State Government in maintaining the water level of Loktak lake at a certain level to feed the Loktak power project.

If any land or other assets are affected on account of consistent water level maintained by NHPC, it is because of flaws in the detailed project report submitted by the State Government and as such the State should bear all responsibility of providing compensation for all the areas, if there is any.

NHPC also denied its part in the flooding of surrounding areas of the Loktak contending that the deluge is caused by soil erosion in the catchment areas and rapid siltation in the lake for which the State Government and the Loktak Development Authority are responsible.

Following complaints by several civil societies and NGOs that about 27,404.94 acres of agricultural land belonging to 12,129 genuine land-holders of Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur have been submerged by Loktak Hydro Electric Project, a case is pending at the Gauhati High Court.

The complaints also mentioned that this vast tract of fertile agricultural land has been rendered useless for the last 20 years because of Loktak project.

The expert committee which included the Deputy Commissioners of Thoubal, Bishnupur and Imphal West, their subordinate officers and staff had conducted a detail inquiry of the submerged areas and there is no need for a repeat spot inquiry, stated the Committee while negating the objections raised by NHPC.

Regarding the possibility of flaws in the detailed project report, it brushed aside the argument saying that the matter is not related with the issue of compensation.

It further noted that the primary objective of the committee is to ensure adequate compensation to the affected people.

NHPC has been exploiting the Loktak lake by converting it into a reservoir so as to produce hydro power for the last two decades and following the complaints of extensive damage done by the Loktak Project filed at court, the corporation was also provided the privilege to present its views at the court as the respondent of the case.

As such, any further counter claim or objection by NHPC is null and void, observed the committee.

In connection with the issue, the expert committee has geared up to go to court.

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