DAY 82

On the 7^th of September , the State Government constituted a Review Committee to examine issues relating to implementation of hydel projects in Dzongu area in North Sikkim and to make suitable recommendations to the State Government.

The committee comprises of the Chief Secretary as the Chairman, Additional Chief Secretary, Development Commissioner, Athup Lepcha, Dzongu, Pintsho Namgyal Lepcha, Lingthem, Dzongu, Sanjay Kumar Jain, Environmentalist as members and PCE-cum-Secretary, Energy and Power Department as the Member Secretary.

As per the notification, the committee will have to submit its report within 100 days from the date of issue of the notification. However, according to a Notification No 90/Home/ 2007, dated 06/09/2007 issued by Home Department, all activities in the five projects in Dzongu area namely, Ringpi, Lingza, Rukel, Rangyang and Panan shall be stopped with immediate effect till the submission of its report by the committee.

The State Government has advised the President, Affected Citizens of Teesta to call off the relay hunger strike immediately so that the committee is able to deliberate on the matter in a congenial atmosphere.

The Chief coordinator of Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) Tseten Lepcha has confirmed the receipt of government communication on appointment of Review Committee for hydel projects in Dzongu and also requesting withdrawal of 80 day old relay hunger strike being observed by members of ACT in front of B.L.House, Gangtok in view of creating a congenial atmosphere.

However, ACT has informed to the media that it is in the process of having a meeting on subject of relay hunger strike as well as its future approach of hydel projects and it would be a day or two more before it executive members takes a decision on whether the current relay hunger strike would be called off now or later.

Meanwhile, Sikkim Chief Minister in his address as Leader of the House in the just concluded 2 day session of Sikkim Legislative Assembly has spoken of hard decisions his government has to take for the sake of Sikkim and in its future generation as regards to not abandoning any hydel projects in State as they would play a key role in enhancing state revenues and development policies pursued by Sikkim Democratic Front which includes building better infrastructures, creating industries, hotels, hydel or other development projects in state.He also informed of government decision to make sure 100% employment generated by these Units & Projects set up in Sikkim are available to Sikkimese people only.

In other news, lives have been lost around the region with people bearing nature's wrath. Sikkim remains cut off from the rest of the country due to incessant rains for past few days. Landslides, big and small has been a common sight around the region.