Three generations still homeless: HC rejects Rajasthan collector’s exemption plea in Pong dam oustees case
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Shimla, June 28
Himachal Pradesh High Court has rejected an application filed by the District Collector of Sriganganagar, Rajasthan, seeking exemption from personal appearance in a long-pending case concerning the rehabilitation of Pong Dam oustees.
In a significant order passed on June 25, 2026, HC also dismissed the Rajasthan government’s plea seeking modification of its earlier directions and observed that three generations of displaced families from Himachal Pradesh continue to fight for their rightful rehabilitation.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi passed the order while hearing execution petitions filed by Ajeet Singh and connected matters.
The Bench directed the District Collector, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan, to remain personally present before the court on July 22, 2026.
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The Rajasthan authorities had sought modification of the High Court’s order dated May 15, 2025, arguing that the petitioners had already been allotted land during the second phase of rehabilitation for Pong Dam oustees. The Bench, however, found no merit in the contention and dismissed the applications.
The court observed that the consistent stand of Rajasthan officials has been to deny Pong Dam oustees allotment of land in the first phase, which was primarily located in Sriganganagar district.
Instead, land was allotted nearly 600 kilometres away in Jaisalmer, making rehabilitation difficult for the displaced families from Himachal Pradesh.
Referring to its earlier observations in the case of Bansi Lal (deceased) through LRs vs. State of H.P. & Others, the Bench noted that the issue has persisted for decades and that it is now the third generation of Pong Dam oustees that is still compelled to fight for its legal rights because land in the first phase was denied to them.
The High Court held that the applications seeking modification of the earlier order were devoid of merit. Consequently, it also refused to exempt the District Collector from appearing before the court, holding that there was no justification for granting such relief.
The Collector has been directed to appear in person on the next date of hearing, July 22, 2026, for further proceedings.
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