The much-awaited public hearing on environmental issues regarding the proposed Himalayan Ski Village (HSV) project in Kullu district, scheduled for the coming Saturday, has been postponed. The reasons for postponing the meeting is apparently the election code of conduct.

“Directions from the Tourism’s Secretary office regarding calling off the public hearing meeting have been communicated to the public concerned today. It (direction) does not mention the reason behind the cancellation,” said Kullu Deputy Commissioner M. Sudha Devi.

A committee, including secretaries of Tourism, Revenue, Pollution Control Board, Commissioner Tourism and Kullu Deputy Commissioner, was scheduled to conduct the public hearing on March 7. This committee was formed on April 27, 2008, and the

High Court was also informed about it.

Meanwhile, irked over the sudden change in the scheduled public hearing, Himalaya Neeti Abhiyaan Samiti, Janhit Sangharsh Samiti and Jan Jagran Vikas Samiti, who are putting up a strong protest against the HSV, have raised questions over the last-minute change. The three bodies today submitted a memorandum of demands to the Kullu Deputy Commissioner.

Lal Chand Katoch of Jan Jagran Vikas Samiti said they have reiterated their concerns over damage to environment, local livelihood and socio-cultural set-up of the locals in the memorandum. “We are opposing the project tooth and nail since its conception. Last year on April 9, the High Court had directed the government to address the concerns raised by us in our petition at the earliest and now that one year is already about to pass, the government has still not been able to decide upon a date for the public hearing.”

... contd.