Coordination committee formed after Power Minister meets Tashiding HEP affected

NO PROTEST FROM AFFECTED LAND OWNERS, INSISTS PANCHAYAT PRESIDENT
GANGTOK, 13 Dec: Coordination committees were formed today to take up matters of general public interest and for the proper implementation of the Tashiding Hydroelectric Project, West Sikkim. The Power Minister, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, along with the area MLA, Yuksom-Tashiding constituency, Dawcho Lepcha, are reported to have toured the area and met with the affected people there today.
The outcome of this public interaction with people affected by the 97 MW Tashiding HEP was the formation of two Coordination Committees comprising the affected people of the two constituencies of Yuksom-Tashiding and Yangthang over which the project is being constructed on the Rathong Chu.
The Tashiding HEP is being constructed by Shiga Energy Private Limited and along with two other HEPs on the same river - Ting Ting HEP and Lethang HEP - has been in the spotlight of late over the protest brewing against them from some sections of society. The projects are seen to be harmful to the religious and cultural significance of the Rathong Chu and sacred places along it.
Speaking to NOW! over the phone, LB Kafley, Panchayat President and also the president of the coordination committee formed today by the affected people in  Yuksom Tashiding area, confirmed the constitution of the committees and informed that these committees were formed so that the affected people of the area may derive maximum benefit from the projects.
The public meeting, he informed, was convened by the Power Minister who urged the people to take advantage of the projects and the opportunities it creates, stressing that these would result in the economic development of not only the region but the State as well.
The Minister along with the area MLA conducted the meeting and toured the area meeting with the affected people today.
It is informed that there is a road project of the company underway which extends to both the constituencies and the coordination committee is also to take up whatever issues may come up in the course of its implementation with the power developer.
The coordination committee, which is informed to also include the West District Collector, is also to double as a Welfare Committee projected to ensure the smooth implementation of the project as well as the social welfare packages which will accrue to the affected people and the area.
Mr. Kafley also informed that the committee will see that the small contract works are awarded to locals, that there is employment of locals in various aspects of the project development and the committee will also play a monitoring role on the project and its implementation.
There are about 20 affected families whose land have been acquired in the Yuksom Tashiding constituency and all, informed Mr. Kafley, are in favour of the project. “There is no protest from the public,” he contended, adding that the hydel project was passed observing due process and had reached this stage also following due processes.
Praveen Kumar, Director, Shiga Energy, the power developer, while confirming the formation of the committees, also insisted that there was no protest from the affected people and that the construction works were progressing normally.