Is boycott advisable?

PUBLIC HEARING FOR TEESTA STAGE IV

KC PRADHAN
The Public Hearing for the much in the news Teesta Hydroelectric Project Stage-IV to be located between Dikchu and Sangkhalang has been re-scheduled for 29 March 2012 at Namprikdang in North Sikkim. The project entails generation of around 520 MW of hydro power on a run-of-the-river system through the GoI organization- NHPC. Unlike private sector developers which are to run hydel projects for 35 years and hen hand them over to the State Government, projects implemented and operated by NHPC will be for perpetuity.
The NHPC has, in the past, constructed the 510MW Teesta Stage V which was commissioned some three years back and the 60 MW Legship HEP at Rangit in West Sikkim which was commissioned some ten years ago. As per the terms of the agreement with NHPC, the State Government will get 12% of free power. It is understood the generation indicated in project formulation is at peak period - the monsoon. It would be good for people at large to be told how much revenue has actually accrued to the State exchequer from these two projects during the period in question. This should give a fair idea about how much revenue is likely to be forthcoming after the commissioning of the new project [Stage-IV] for which the State Government has called a Public Hearing as per GoI rules. This is an important matter and all stakeholders – nay, all the people of Sikkim - should give a considered thought. It should be fully supported if the economic gains far outweigh the damages likely to be caused. If the people do not attend the public hearing and the project goes ahead with all the usual sugar-coated pills and smooth talk, it will be the people who are solely responsible and it would be un-ethical to blame the Government or the project developers after the project is commenced. Such is the importance of the Public Hearing and it has great legal sanctity.
I have seen in the local dailies that some people of the affected area are once again likely to boycott the Public Hearing slated for 29th March as the various assurances given by the organization to the stake holders while extracting their consent for Teesta Stage V have not been delivered. People’s apprehensions have been further aggravated by to Sept 2011 earthquake as the main Central Thrust (MCT) line is said to be located in the area from the geological and seismological standpoint. Whether this has been scientifically confirmed or not is different matter, but fact remains the trauma of earthquake, during which Dzongu was badly hit, is still fresh in the minds of the people and they are still in a state of shock. It is premature to rake up the issue of a fresh hydroelectric project though the idea was mooted many years back.
It is pertinent to add here that the stretch from Dikchu to Sangkhalang holds the only expanse of tropical jungle in Sikkim and is the abode to some of the prized plant species like wild bananas, terrestrial orchids, various species of palms, bamboos of great plant genetical interest, besides  home of butterflies. Identifying some rescue homes and rehabilitating these species should be seriously considered. For butterflies, the best option is to go in for massive plantation of both nectar and caterpillar food plants suited for the butterfly species of the area. This could best be undertaken by an independent nature conservation trust with funds forthcoming from the project developers. It is equally important to take into consideration that this stretch of the river Teesta border the protected region of Dzongu - the home of the Lepchas.
The objective of entering into agreements for generation of hydroelectric power in the State is basically, besides Sikkim chipping in its share towards national interest with much-needed clean energy, to augment the financial resources in the State and thus serve not only in its developmental programmes but also meet the expenditure of a bloated Government establishment. The internal revenue generated by various sources at present can barely meet the expenditure of less than half a year. This gives a fair idea how important it is to augment internal resources, and in the given situation, to bank on hydro power generation and get the much needed resource thereof is the only ray of hope. The days of New Delhi pouring money for the asking are over. Unless you stand on your own, you will have no voice – you will rather be looked down upon in the corridors of power in the Centre. They are generous towards all developmental programmes and money will come anyway as allotted annually based on population pro-rata as ascertained by the Planning Commission. In the federal system of governance, this is an inherent right of a State of a Union.  But to run your house for day to day affairs is entirely your resposibility. As someone said: “We might have all the resources for grandiose programmes, but may not possibly have resources to buy even the basic need as salt”.
Taking this point into consideration, at the Public Hearing, if at all held, the concerned department should be able to throw these facts and figures to the participants to gauge whether the project will in reality will fulfill our aspirations. We are harping about earning between Rs. 1,200 to Rs. 1,500 crore by way of revenue by generating around 3000 MW of hydroelectricity within a few years and thus offering Sikkim and the Sikkimese people reasons to be to confident about a bright future – a future in which there will be no financial crunch to launch programmes of our liking with which our younger generation will be well equipped educationally besides maintaining our revered heritage as bequeathed in ancient monasteries, temples etc. in  a befitting manner. And then we will also be able to ensure proper maintenance of infrastructure constructed over the year under Plan Fund which are now lying in state of despair. If this is possible, there is reason to accept some immediate pains for a better tomorrow.
There are reasons for people at large to be unhappy with the deals which are not the most transparent and have been cleared with undue hurry. This has definitely brought some undue hardship, including environmental degradation - not forgetting the religious sentiments in some of the locations endowed with exceedingly rich religious significance and sanctity. But having gone so far as to nearing commissioning of projects, to retract will only lead to litigations which do not always resolve issues. If the economic projections are accurate and State really in a position to make substantial gains, there should a concerted effort to come to a meeting point. The best we could do is to apportion a sizeable portion of the revenue accrued from such projects for the upkeep of religious endowments, besides the welfare of the people in the affected area so that they develop a stronger bond and attach a sense ownership in the Project in question and even help expedite the commissioning at the earliest so that the project-related influx is cleared quicker as well. For all new projects, of course, they can clamour, but remonstrate with a well-studied and clearly reasoned line of argument. The Government, in its wisdom, has scrapped seven projects- 4 in Dzongu and 3 in the West Sikkim. This is in itself a bold political decision and people at large should appreciate the gesture.
All we could possibly say, on the lines written on monolith of Kohima War Cemetery: “For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today”.
[The writer is a former Chief Secretary, Sikkim]