Hamirpur/New Delhi, August 24, 2026: Former Union Minister and Hamirpur MP Anurag Singh Thakur raised the long-pending issue of rehabilitation of families displaced by the historic Bhakra and Pong Dam projects in the Lok Sabha on August 13. He sought comprehensive information on eligible displaced families, land allotments, cancelled claims and the functioning of mechanisms such as the High Powered Committee constituted to resolve pending issues between the concerned states.
Responding to Anurag Thakur’s question, Minister of State for Jal Shakti Raj Bhushan Choudhary provided a detailed update on the rehabilitation of families affected by the Bhakra Dam project. According to the Ministry, 7,209 families were affected by the construction of the Bhakra Dam. Under the rehabilitation policy of 1959, these families were provided cash compensation or alternative land in Sirsa, Fatehabad and Hisar districts of Haryana.
The Ministry further informed the Lok Sabha that the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), during its 240th meeting, had closed the resettlement matter from its end, with no outstanding liabilities remaining. Day-to-day and local issues, if any, are now being dealt with by the concerned local authorities in Fatehabad.
On the issue of Pong Dam oustees, the government stated that the total number of mutually agreed eligible displaced persons between the Governments of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan stands at 16,100. Of these, 14,737 eligibility certificates have been received from Himachal Pradesh, while land was initially allotted to 12,971 oustees.
However, due to non-compliance with provisions of the Rajasthan Colonization Rules, 1972, land allotments in 1,880 cases were cancelled. Consequently, the present number of active land allotments stands at 11,091.
To address the outstanding land-related disputes and rehabilitation issues concerning Pong Dam oustees, a High Powered Committee (HPC) and a Standing Committee under the Government of Rajasthan are actively working towards their resolution.
The Ministry also highlighted significant progress made during the last five years. The HPC has held five meetings, following which land was allotted to an additional 594 oustees.
In another important step to facilitate displaced families, the period for taking possession of allotted land has been extended from 90 days to 180 days. Families residing on the allotted land are also eligible to avail themselves of benefits under various Central and State Government welfare schemes.
By raising the issue in Parliament, Anurag Thakur has brought renewed focus to the rehabilitation and land-allotment concerns of families displaced by the Bhakra and Pong Dam projects and sought greater clarity on the progress being made towards resolving their long-pending issues.
