Question : BORDER DISPUTE

(a) whether the Government are aware of the on going Border dispute between Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal as reported in `Dainik Jagran` dated January 8, 2003;

(b) if so, the facts thereof;

(c) whether Himachal Pradesh has been claiming an area of around eighty acres of territory of Uttaranchal as its own as a result of the unresolved border dispute between the two States;

(d) if so, whether as a result thereof the State Government has been incurring losses worth crores of rupees, while the villages are facing the problem of double taxation; and

(e) the details of the steps taken by the Government to resolve this problem?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI I.D.SWAMI)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b): The Government of Uttaranchal have reported that the dispute relates to six places of Chakrata Tehsil of Dehradun District namely, Pandranu, Saranjungle, Kathangad:Silasukhadda, Patalajungle, Pasidhar and Loklang Pillar, adjoining Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh.

(c) & (d): No specific information about the reported claim over 80 acres of territory of Uttaranchal by Himachal Pradesh is available with the Central Government.

(e): Neither of the State Governments has approached the Central Government to resolve their boundary dispute. It is essentially for the State Governments concerned to amicably settle their differences though discussions and mutual accommodation.