DAY 57

DAY 57

Today is 60^th Anniversary of India’s Independence Day and the 57^th day of the indefinite hunger strike by Satyagrahis and Members of ACT led by Dawa Lepcha. While Dawa is back at BL House continuing his indefinite hunger strike after having been discharged from the STNM, Tenzing continues his indefinite hunger strike at STNM hospital.

In other related news, addressing hundreds of Sikkim Democratic Front party activists from all across the state on Monday, August 13^th Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said, “The Affected Citizens of Teesta are merely being exploited by few people with vested interests who are trying to make ACT their platform.”

Mr Chamling repeatedly said that the people who do not carry good intention for the people of Sikkim are making hue and cry taking the issue of hydel project.

“Sikkimese people are in a need of a companion who in real terms understands their problem and to sort out diligently perhaps not a dictator who makes the people dances in their interest for their own benefit,” he added.

“Lots of water flowed down River Teesta and River Rangit but we never understood its importance, now we will generate huge revenue through this flowing water,” Chamling said.

Stressing that some of the people with self-centered motives are disrupting the peace and tranquility of Sikkim by holding strikes in the National Highway, the chief minister informed that intimation would be made to the Central Government requesting for an immediate action.

“A special bill will be passed very soon in the State Legislative Assembly, which will focus to depute the local educated youths in various private sectors in Sikkim keeping them in priority,” the chief minister said.

The Bhartiya Gorkha Parisangh president Dil Kumari Bhandari, a former Lok Sabha MP from the Sikkim has urged the Chief Minister to make immediate arrangement for a talk with ACT members, listen to their demands and resolve the problem. A letter signed by the Parisangh addressed to the Chief Minister Dr. Pawan Chamling yesterday discarded the state government's contentions that ACT was instigated by the Opposition parties,commenting that such statements reflected poorly on the government authorities and its intention to resolve the crisis and issue of ACT.

Ms.Bhandari writes that realizing the threat posed by the hydel projects on their identity and their sincere commitment towards the Cause proved that the ACT was not instigated by the anyone to take a stand.

The Parisangh has also not taken kindly to the how long the issue has remained alive without reaching a solution and alleges that by spreading the wrong message through the media,the government was trying to suppress the voice of the Lepchas.

The copies of letter have been also marked to the ACT President, the PM, the Union Home Minister and to the local media.

The land acquisition rate for PananHydel project in Dzongu which was earlier hinted to be approximately around Rs.4 to5 per square feet has been accorded a quantum hike bringing it at par with the highest rates offered in the State at present approved at Rs. per sq.ft. for cardamom ,paddy fields and Rs.16 for barren tracts plus a 30% solatium.

As per reports,the rates for cardamom and paddy fields comes to Rs.7.84 lakhs per acre and for dry and barren fields it totals to Rs.6.97 lakhs per acre and adding to it further is the valuation of the standing property that goes with acquired land the final payment computed for payment is higher than expected as it would be further get added with30% Solatium amount thus making a much heftier payment for per acre.The Solatium means Compensation for injured feelings as distinct from financial loss or physical suffering.

Even leaving out the standing property of acquired lands,The cardamom and paddy field would fetch Rs.10,19,304/- per acre and dry and barrens fields tracts at Rs.9,06,048 per acre.

It may be added that land owners at Dzongu onetime demanded Rs.50 per sq.ft.,but this was rate even they realized was unrealistic and negotiations has finally settled at around the now approved rates.

The rates are applicable for blocks of Maling-Singhik,Lingthem,Lingdem,Lingzya,and Sakyong-Pentong and are at par with the Singhik Sentam land acquisition case for Teesta stage III at Chungthang undertaken by the Teesta Urja.

Meanwhile, Union Minister of Power, Sushil Kumar Shinde replying to a question informed the Parliament that “No specific study has been done of the impact of melting of Himalayan glaciers on hydroelectric power plants in India. He also said that planning of hydroelectric projects was based on the observed and estimated rainfall and run off data.