NASBO welcomes Committee recommendation to scrap HEPs on Rathong Chu

GANGTOK, 19 Jan: The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation [NASBO] has welcomed the reported recommendation of the High Powered State-level Committee to scrap all three hydel projects proposed over the Rathong Chu in West Sikkim.
A press release issued by NASBO president, Sonam Kaleon, heralds the recommendation as a “wise decision” and stressed that such a recommendation of the State Government is a “welcome decision which reflects its keenness in preserving the socio-religious interests of the Sikkimese people”.
The release further requests the State Government to take “strict note of the anti-social and anti human activities” of concerned power developers in the affected area in view of the Committee’s recommendation.

Common Platform demands immediate implementation of High Power Committee’s recommendation to scrap the three hydel projects in West Sikkim

GANGTOK, 04 Jan: The Common Platform for Joint Action against Ting-Ting, Tashiding and Lethang Hydro-Power Projects has welcomed the recommendations of the State High Power Committee headed by the Chief Secretary to scrap the three projects on Rathong-Chu.
All Sikkim Educated Self-Employed & Unemployed Association [ASESE&UA] president, Nawin Kiran, said that they came to know of the decision of the Committee from a news report in a local daily [NOW! issue dated 19/12/ 2011] and confirmed through their own sources.

Cops evict faith-healers from Tashiding HEP tunnel site

FIRST ARRESTS IN RATHONG CHU HYDEL PROTEST
GYALSHING, 12 Dec: West District police on Sunday made the first set of arrests in connection with the protest against hydel projects on the Rathong Chu. Seven faith-healers – jhankris and matas – were picked up and placed under custody last evening on charges of creating public nuisance and disrupting work on the Tashiding hydroelectric project site. All seven were released on bail today, sources inform.

Groups protesting HEPs on Rathong Chu consider mounting larger agitation

GANGTOK, 11 Dec: The “Common Platform” against Hydel Power Projects, a coming together of various organizations to protest hydel projects on the Rathong Chu, has threatened to graduate from writing petitions and issuing press statements to launching an agitation soon if the State government does not take up their protest seriously and review the hydel projects in question in the earnest.

Kalzang Welfare Assoc seconds scrap hydel projects on Rathong Chu demand

GANGTOK, 07 Dec: The Kalzang Welfare Association of Tashiding in West Sikkim has also joined the ongoing debate over hydro-power projects on the Rathong Chu in West Sikkim. In a press release issued by its president today, the association has called upon the State Government “to kindly scrap all the anti-Buddhist Hydro electric project proposed over sacred Rathongchu River and declare the entire stretch of Yuksam-Tashiding-Pemayangtse, the interior Bayul Dremo Jong, as Project/Human activity free zone in ensuring preservation and protection of the sacredness of the same”.

Monks welcome Joint Action against hydel projects on Rathong Chu, confident CM will scrap projects

GANGTOK, 06 Dec: All the Sikkimese monks and monasteries have welcomed the Joint Action launched by eight organizations to protect and preserve the sacred Rathong Chu, conveys a press release issued by the general secretary, Enchey Monastery, Lopen Tshering Norbu Lama.

State’s high-powered committee on Ratong Chu HEPs begins preliminary survey of affected area

GANGTOK, 23 Nov: Within days of the State government constituting a high-powered committee under the Chief Secretary to examine issues related to the project implementation and other aspects related to the three hydel projects on the Rathong Chu in West Sikkim, the committee members have begun the task of conducting tours and surveys of the affected areas in West Sikkim.

Sikkim’s Buddhist culture in danger of collapse due to hydel projects on Rathong Chu: SIBLAC

SIBLAC THANKS SPALZES ANGMO FOR STATEMENTS AGAINST HYDEL PROJECTS ON RATHONG CHU, DISMISSES GOVT CLAIMS OF PROTEST LIMITED TO ‘SECTION OF THE PEOPLE’
GANGTOK, 22 Nov: The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee [SIBLAC] has thanked Minorities Commission member, Spalzes Angmo, for her recent statement that the three hydel projects on the Rathong Chu were a threat to the Buddhist culture of the Himalayas. The organisation has also taken exception to the Lok Sabha MP, PD Rai’s comment that the hydel protest was limited to a ‘section of the people’ and contended that hydel projects have “provoked” opposition from a wide range of organisations.

Minorities Commission member advices ‘stop, think and review’ approach to Rathongchu power projects

2-MEMBER TEAM IN SIKKIM TO ASSESS EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE AND RELIEF MEASURES
GANGTOK, 16 Nov: A two-member team of the National Commission for Minorities comprising of Spalzes Angmo [member and representative of the Buddhist community at the Centre] and Esther Kar [Joint Secretary] are on a visit to the State to assess the damages and relief measures being carried out by the State Government in the wake of the 18 September earthquake.

High Level Committee to examine issues of the three HEPs on Rathong Chu

STATE GOVERNMENT GETS POSITIVE
GANGTOK, 04 Nov: Hydel projects have been a sore point with the people of Sikkim and a bone of contention for the state government and affected people in particular. Following the controversies surrounding the establishment of NHPC Stage V at Dikchu and the development of 1200 MW Teesta Stage III by Teesta Urja among the more elaborated ones in the state the government now seems to be grappling with the one raised by the proposal to develop 3 hydel projects in West Sikkim with certain organizations here protesting these projects.

NASBO urges centre to take up Rathongchu Hydel project concerns seriously

GANGTOK, 01 Nov: The National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation has expressed that all ongoing activities by executing agencies  at the hydel project sites be immediately stopped in view of the high powered committee constituted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to assess the religious implications on the proposed three mega power projects over sacred Rathongchu River.

SIBLAC seeks Sakya Trizin’s intervention on the Rathong Chu hydel projects

GANGTOK, 21 Oct: The Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) has called on the Sakya Trizin to “convince the State government to scrap all the three proposed anti-Buddhist Power Projects on the Rathongchu river”. This, the organization resolved to do at a meeting held today, informs a SIBLAC release.

SIBLAC welcomes appointment of ‘High Powered Committee’ on the Rathong Chu HEPs

GANGTOK, 20 Oct: Representatives from several constituent units and members of Sikkim Bhutia-Lepcha Apex Committee (SIBLAC) met today to discuss the Union Home Ministry’s decision to appoint a “high powered committee” for making detailed assessment of ground reality issues raised by SIBLAC and NASBO on Hydro Power Projects being developed all across Sikkim with particular reference to three HEPs on Rathong Chu River in West Sikkim, informs a SIBLAC release.
As per media reports, the High Powered Committee is expected to examine the issues raised by SIBLAC & NASBO to protect the “overall religious, cultural diversity of the region.”

Joint delegation calls on Governor to scrap hydel projects on Rathong Chu

GANGTOK, 01 August: A delegation of monks representing the Degoen Jinkyong Tsogchen [All Sikkim Monasteries Association] accompanied by the SIBLAC convenor, Tseten Tashi Bhutia, NASBO president, Sonam Kaleon, and president, Denjong Chyarig Tsogpo, SD Denjongpa, called on the Governor today with regard to the proposed Ting Ting Hydel project on the Rathong Chu.
The delegation submitted a memorandum to the Governor urging him to invoke the special discretionary powers under Article 371 F (g) and “immediately scrap all power projects or any such other activities that pollute the sanctity of Rathongchu or tampers with our religious sentiments”.
 “We would not hesitate to approach any forum, both national and international to achieve our objective for the benefit of all sentient beings if justice is denied by and from constitutional frameworks,” the letter states.

Affected people endorse Ting-Ting HEP

GANGTOK, 25 July: A section of the people of Tashiding-Yuksom constituency, under the banner of “Block Level Project Protection Committee”, has challenged objections raised against the proposed 96 MW Ting Ting hydel project on the Rathong Chu.
A press release issued by the president and general secretary of the Block Level Project Protection Committee, LP Kafley and Tashi Gyatso Bhutia of Tashiding, has also condemned the religious slant being given to base the protests against the project.

NASBO writes to President, wants Merger reviewed because Ting-Ting HEP is cleared

GANGTOK, 24 July: National Sikkimese Bhutia Organisation [NASBO], in a letter addressed to the President of India, has appealed for a review of Sikkim’s annexation with the Indian Union with regard to the proposed 96 MW Ting Ting Hydro-Electric Project over the Rathongchhu river.
The Rathong Chu in West Sikkim is considered a sacred river with the patron saint of the state Guru Padmasambhava having directed its preservation, the letter explains.

MoEF unaware of hydel projects proposed on Rathong Chu, SIBLAC contends

GANGTOK, 29 June: Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee [SIBLAC] today released copies of a letter from the Ministry of Environment & Forests informing that while the Lethang hydel project has been rejected by the Standing Committee of the NBWL of the MoEF, this Ministry, without whose go ahead no hydel projects can be undertake, is not even aware of the 99MW Ting-Ting and 97 MW Tashiding HEP coming up on Rathong Chu. This, despite the fact that public hearings have been held for these projects.