Ting-Ting and Lethang HEP supporters file RTI with Power Deptt

TASHIDING PROJECT EMPLOYEES SUBMIT MEMORANDUM TO DC WEST
GANGTOK, 21 Feb: The people supporting the development of the 99 MW Ting-Ting and 96 MW Lethang hydel projects at Yuksom and Tashiding have urged the State government and those protesting these projects to rethink on the decision to scrap the two projects.
A resident of Ting-Ting has also filed an RTI application with the Energy and Power Department on Monday seeking information on the members of the Review Committee and their visits to the project sites [refer to NOW! dated 17 Feb 2012]. The petitioner has also demanded information on the final report of the committee, which resulted in the closure of Ting-Ting and Lethang projects in the area.
Maintaining that people of the area are in favour of these projects and those protesting do not belong to the area, this group wants to know why those against the projects did not voice their concerns when the various surveys were being conducted for around six months before the starting of the projects.
Further mentioning that during the six-month survey period, the land under the projects were not allowed to be used for farming and no compensation has been provided so far, the group contend that if the section against these projects are genuinely fighting for a cause then they should raise this issue as well.
When the project on Rathong-Chu River was shut down in July 1997, it rendered around 480 people jobless and the Rs 40 crore spent on the project useless, the group alleges, contending further that shutting down these projects was an attack on the poor and needy of the area.
It is also learnt that around 200 laborers working under Shiga Energy at the Tashiding project submitted a memorandum to the District Collector [West] on the employment issue. In the memorandum they have asked the District Administration to give an explanation on what would happen to the employees of Shiga Energy if the project is shut down.
On the government notification scrapping these two projects, the group has questioned the ‘public interest’ on the basis of which the projects were scrapped stating that people of both areas are in favour of the projects as proven during the public hearing held on 15 September 2010. On the same, they have asked for a clarification from the Chief Secretary.
They have also asked for a clarification from the Review Committee constituted for these projects on why they are unaware of the interactions the Committee is supposed to have had with the locals.
On the section protesting against these projects, the group alleged that they have their own personal motives and interests which are not in favour of the state or its people. Further alleging that people with a political agenda are trying to ride on this issue the group urged such people to understand the real needs of the people of the area.