Alleging that the Centre is planning to privatise Tehri-Hydro Development Corporation (THDC) India Limited, former chief of Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Kishore Upadhyaya said that the decision will not only raise concern for the national security of India, but will also end up with more number of unemployed people in the State.

Addressing the mediapersons at the Press Club on Sunday he said giving Tehri dam into private hands will be like giving sacred rivers to one individual, which is not acceptable. He also said that they will be speaking with the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Trivendra Singh Rawat about the issue and will fight against the decision.

He added, “This is a matter of great concern not only for Uttarakhand, but for the entire country. The Central Government is planning to give THDC into private hands. They are giving our biggest assets — water into private hands. This is too great a resource for just one individual to have. In addition to that, we have international borders with China so the privatisation of THDC could also affect the level of our national security as well.”

Stating the norms in Reorganisation Act of Uttarakhand (2000) he said, as per the Act after a period of 25 years, all these dams whether private or in some other hands were supposed to come under the jurisdiction of the state government, but now with this decision the State will have nothing in its hands.

Senior Congress leader, Jot Singh Bisht said, “During the construction of Tehri dam, about 125 villages were submerged. Now, the centre is planning to put the agency which made Tehri dam possible into private hands. It is obvious that the private body will place their people to replace the local people who are presently employed at THDC. This is absolutely unacceptable, and we will fight against it.”