Common Platform to being agitation with ‘Pratiwad Rally’ at Gyalshing Bazaar

DEMANDS OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION ON THE SCRAPPING OF TING-TING AND LETHANG POWER PROJECTS FROM THE STATE GOVT
GANGTOK, 02 Feb: Common Platform against Ting-Ting, Lethang and Tashiding Hydel Power Projects announced the launching of a “physical agitation” against the three hydel power projects on the Rathong-Chu river in West Sikkim today. The Common Platform, comprising of members from eight different organizations against hydel projects, will begin its agitation with the ‘Pratiwad Rally’ on13 February at Gyalshing Bazaar. Members of the Platform also started distributing pamphlets for the same today.
Addressing a press conference, All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed & Unemployed Association [ASESE&UA] president, Nawin Kiran stated that although there have been news reports on the scrapping of Lethang and Ting-Ting hydel projects, no official gazette notification has been issued by the State Government so far. On the same, he added that until this happens the Common Platform will continue its movement at different levels.
Common Platform spokesperson, Tenzing Chewang Bhutia mentioned that as these projects fall under the 10-km radius of a National Park, so technically Ting-Ting and Tashiding projects have not received the environment clearance from the National Wildlife Board. He further added that the protest in West Sikkim shows that the people are against these projects.
Welcoming news reports on the scrapping of the Ting-Ting and Lethang projects, Mr Bhutia however questioned the government’s interest in continuing the Tashiding project. He further demanded that the government confirm the scrapping of these projects through an official notification.
“We demand the government to apply the same logic behind scrapping the Ting-Ting and Lethang projects and also scrap the Tashiding power project,” said Mr Bhutia.
Citing the statement of the Power Minister published in a local newspaper that these projects would generate revenue, SIBLAC convener, Tseten Tashi Bhutia questioned that if the people do not want the project then what is the use of the revenue. He further stated that the State government needs to choose whether it is for its people or the power developers.