(The indefinite relay hunger strike reaches 554 days.....)
GANGTOK, January 6:
Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) who is still maintaining its protests over the mega power projects in North Sikkim recently held two meetings at Lingdong and Hee-Gyathang in Dzongu.
An ACT release informs that the meetings were attended by large numbers of supporters of anti-dam movement in the area including youths and women. More meetings are being organized to apprise the supporters of the latest happenings in the matters in context of Ministry of Environment and Forest, the faulty Land Acquisition processes followed, and most importantly, other illegal matters that have been detected by ACT, the release adds.
The body also claimed that both NHPC and Sikkim Power Development (SPDC) has still not been able to furnish the information sought under RTI regarding the number of permanent locals employed, their designation, where stationed at the Teesta Stage V, 510 MW project (Dikchu-Singtam). “This clearly goes on to show that the promises and assurances of preference for local employment in the mega hydro power projects are empty”, ACT said.
The body pointed out that the non abidance of technical stipulations by Teesta Urja Limited, in the case of Teesta stage III, 1200 MW project has come to light through the spot visit of the Central Electric Authority (CEA). It has been pointed out in the report of the CEA team that TUL has violated the technical clearances pertaining to the de silting chambers and the dam construction design, which would compromise the efficiency of the de silting chambers resulting in the over all power production and the safety of the dam.
“This shows that the companies are not following the stipulations and violating the conditions laid by the central authorities. How can the State authorities, in spite of their grand assurances enforce them? Also the findings of the CEA clearly go on to show the impending disaster in future for the people of the State”, ACT said.
ACT also alleged violation of guidelines of Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) by the Panang project developers. “Though the labourers are not to be allowed to stay back in Dzongu, in case of Panang project, twenty members are staying back in the sheds build at the dam site by the company in blatant violation of the Clearance Condition of the MoEF”, the body said. ACT added that they confirmed it with a recent spot visit.
“ACT will pass a resolution and act accordingly regarding the violation, as no action is being enforced by the concerned authorities”, the body said in its press release.
source: Sikkim Express
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