Sneha Kinetic agrees to demands, affected people withdraw protest

WANGCHUK BHUTIA
MANGAN: The affected people of the 96 MW Dikchu hydel project withdrew their protest Friday, following a meeting at Sneha Kinetic Power Project Ltd. [SKPPL] office at Dikchu. A letter of understanding was signed between the affected people and SKPPL, leading to a resolution of the protest which had come to a head yesterday with the affected people gheraoing the project developer, Sneha Kinetic’s office and bringing all work to a halt at the project site.
The meeting was held between the affected people and the project developer and was also attended by ASDLF general secretary, Norjang Lepcha, ward panchayat Tanek Block, Kado Lepcha and representatives of SKPPL headed by General Manager AK Dutta including representatives from Drillcon Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd headed by its Project Coordinator, Ram Babu Gupta.

At the meeting, Norjang Lepcha pointed out that based on the Memorandum of Understanding, the project developers are required to carry out work as per the norms, failing which they would be violating Rule 44 of the Companies Act. He also said that the state government’s main reason for implementing the power project is to bring development to the area and provide employment to locals.
On his part, the SKPPL General Manager informed that the company’s head office in Hyderabad has agreed to fulfill the demands made by the affected people.
He further informed that the cracks that have developed around the 12th Mile area above the power house site would be inspected and protection works undertaken as per the requirements.
The SKPPL also agreed to develop a public ground, project dispensary and construct a community center. The company has also shown its willingness to offer employment to all land affected people on regular pay rule which would be considered as per the candidate’s eligibility and requirement of the company.
With regard to contract works, the company has consented to award all contract works, including transportation, tunnel works, supply of materials, labor, hiring of vehicles etc. to eligible locals.
On the non-adherence to labor laws, the company has agreed to the 8-hour stipulation, pay for overtime work, entitlement of a weekly holiday and provision for medical reimbursement.
Meanwhile, the land acquisition case for additional land in North Sikkim under Tanek Block will be finalized within a month for execution of work at Surge Shaft area, it was informed.
Mr. Dutta further informed that a 10-member Project Implementation Committee has been formed to oversee the implementation of the points discussed.
The committee is comprised of representatives from among the affected people and land oustees, the ASDLF General Secretary, Norjang Lepcha and has the area MLA as chief patron. Two representatives from the North District have also been included in the committee.