A news report on yesterdays meeting on Lower Subansiri Project as published by ASSAM TRIBUNE. NEW DELHI, Dec 11 – The logjam over the mega 2000-MW Subansiri Lower Hydro-electric Power Project inched towards resolution, with all the parties to the dispute agreeing to set up an eight-member expert committee. The consultation meeting convened by the Union Ministry of Power to break the stalemate over the Subansiri Project that has been stalled for the last three years, was chaired by Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal and co-chaired by Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Sarbananda Sonowal. The meeting was attended by representatives of 29 organisations including All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chatra Parishad (AJYCP), Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), besides 23 ethnic groups. The meeting was also joined by 10 MPs representing all the political parties. The meeting was also attended by top officials of the Power Ministry, Additional Chief Secretary (Power) VB Pyrelal, senior officials of the Central Water Commission (CWC), NHPC, besides the Ministry of Environment and Forest among others. Technical experts drawn from NHPC and CWC also made presentations at the meeting. The meeting that lasted for over five hours, was described as positive and held in a cordial atmosphere and barring Akhil Gogoi-led KMSS, which expressed serious reservations over the agreement, the other organisations were more or less satisfied with the outcome of the meeting. In sharp contrast to yesterday’s stormy meeting with the technical experts, there was no rancour today, with the Power Minister today adopting a conciliatory tone. In his opening remarks, Goyal explained the need to set up the project, which would be beneficial to all. He argued that the project would generate income for the people, provide employment to local people and change the economy of the area, while the State would get electricity. But he added in the same breath that he would not go against the interest of Assam and would abide by the decision taken at the meeting. Goyal, who left the meeting mid-way and again re-joined it in the afternoon, further said that he wanted a permanent solution and positive outcome. He said the representatives should decide what to do with the project and whatever decision they take would be respected by him. But he made it clear that the Government of India cannot change its policy for one single project. This was in reference to the demand by the organisations for supply of 12 per cent free power from the project. The demand was rejected by the Minister. Later briefing newsmen, Sonowal announced that an expert committee comprising eight members, four each representing the State and Centre, would be constituted to study the project. The suggestions made by the various organisations would be the terms of reference of the Committee, which would submit its report within three months. Later, AASU advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya told newsmen that the deliberation was positive and they hoped that the outcome would be fruitful. This is the first discussion at the Central level and opinion of the technical experts of the State should be respected. He said an eight-member expert panel would study the report of the Assam’s technical experts, study the Thatte and Reddy Committee’s report and study the cumulative downstream impact. The technical team would also consult experts from within and outside the country before submitting its reports. The AASU advisor further said that they want a study of the cumulative downstream impact of all proposed dam projects in Arunachal Pradesh. Akhil Gogoi said that though the eight-member expert committee was acceptable to them, the time limit should have been at least six months. Further he said that they wanted a cumulative downstream impact study, but the Centre did not show much interest. Gogoi said he was also upset with the rejection of the demand for 12 per cent free power and the need to declare Assam as a downstream area for which the Centre said there was no provision. President of AJYCP, Manoj Baruah said that the deadlock has been broken though some of the issues they have been raising have not been resolved. “We will wait for the verdict of the expert committee,” he said. Chief Executive of Mising Autonomous Council (MAC) Dr Ranoj Pegu said that he was happy with the outcome of the meeting as all aspects were discussed. assamtribune/epaper/dec1214/at02.html
Posted on: Fri, 12 Dec 2014 06:00:13 +0000
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