Himachal HC directs SJVNL to pay solatium to Luhri project landowners

Bhawani NegiShimla, Oct 15 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL) to pay solatium, interest and additional amounts to landowners who sold their land for the 210 MW Luhri Hydro Electric Project in Shimla district, holding that the company cannot deny benefits under the land acquisition law merely because the land was purchased through negotiations. Justice Sandeep Sharma passed the order while disposing of 19 connected writ petitions, directing SJVNL to make the payments within three months in accordance with Sections 30(1), 30(3) and 80 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency…