Arunachal : protest against Kameng power project suspended
Tezpur
The Dam affected peoples of 600 MW Kameng electric hydro power project under the banner of Aka (Hrusso) Elite society, All Aka (Hurrsso) students union, All bogum students and KAHP affected area development committee that have been protesting since last one year seeking fulfillment of its three points charter of demands has been temporary suspended its ongoing protest after Meeting with CMD, NEEPCO AG west Kharkongor, who assured to look into their demands within 10 days during meeting on Wednesday at Tezpur.
The locals are demanding the NEEP,CO to readdress their three core issues concerning the development of affected people before commissioning of the KHEP project and sought well defined rehabilitation plan prior to its construction.
Maintenance and up gradation of lifeline 125 km road from Pinjoli to Bichom R&R colony under East Kameng, that is Currently lying in pathetic condition, reservation of job in group C& D for atleast 250 members from district especially land affected families, to grant one percent electricity out of 600 MW as free of cost to affected people and roinvest 1 percent share from revenue generated by state govt. from NEEPCO as local area devlopment fund(LADF).
Meanwhile after three hour long threadbare discussion over the key issues, CMD, NEEPCO AG West, Kharkongor interacting with reporters on sidelines of the meeting hinted that there is no such policy and guidelines under the organisation to absorb such huge numbers of people under its umbrella. And he also claim that today meeting comes up with fruitful result.
Stating that the NEEPCO is not authorised to deal with matter realted to recruitment procedures , he informed that such matter is being handled by Ministry of power , Government of India itself. Later he also hinted that other two demands were also kept in for observation.
Taking to reporters, Aka elite society, General Secretary, Dibru Dvsusow while referring to draft National electricity plan 2016 has divulged that as per its guidelines every hydro power authority should provide job to affected people in the ratio of 1.74 per megawatt (MW) power generation.
He asserted if they go with norms of NEP then NEEPCO should give employment to upto 1000 persons. He however maintained that they are only demanding NEEPCO to absorb or reserved at least 250 posts in group C &D category for unemployed youths from affected families.
On their demand for maintanance of 125 km road from Pinjoli to Bichom R&R colony under East Kameng, spokes person, Sherif Nimesow, AES, recalling the decision taken in a meeting earlier at chief secretary office informed that during the meeting NEEPCO agreed to become caretaker of the said diapilated road once the project is commisioned which is also the lone road leading to proposed project site.
later Happy over the outcome of the meeting, Nimesaw said that they will stay firm on their demands and resume thier protest if NEEPCO fails to resolve their demands within the set deadline.
