A vociferous protest against big dams reaches its crucial stage when union environment minister Jairam Ramesh was greeted with protest as he was arriving in Guwahti for a public hearing on the NHPC owned big dam in Arunachal Pradesh.
As the Union minister started the public hearing at Machkhowa, ITA, hundreds of local organizations and political parties approached him to register stiff protest again the on going construction of the big dam in Gerukamukh by NHPC in the name of the lower Subansiri hydel project. Citing the expert panel report, these parties and organisations have told the minister that the big dam might spell an ecological disaster for the people in down stream areas.
PermalinkSubmitted by Hayang on Wed, 29/09/2010 - 05:16
--Lame Excuse by NHPC CMD S.K. Garg--
Despite strident protests in Assam with environmental concerns over construction of mega dams, National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Chairman-cum-Managing Director S.K. Garg says that the project builders plan to commission three units in March 2012 and the remaining five units by December 2012. This is because Rs 4000 crore of the Rs 9000 crore project has been utilized. That means 40% of the expenses have been made. But is this a reason enough to sacrifice environment and the population of downstream areas which cannot be compensated even if the Indian central government bring all the riches in the world. When land is lost, existence is lost. When existence is lost, the very right to our natural habitat is lost.
In the devastating floods caused by the Tehri dam in Uttarakhand, the central government has promised a package of Rs 500 crore to the state government. That means every year there will be floods, the Indian government will dole out Rs 500 crore. So, within 8 years, Rs 4000 crore will have to be shelved out. If this is the economics involved, Rs 4000 crore is nothing for a rich country like India where many politicians and ministers have pocketed hundreds and thousands of crores. So, the justification of Rs 4000 crore by S.K. Garg sounds to be a lame excuse to keep the industrial corporations who fund the elections happy and satisfied.
The Assam Don Bosco University launched PhD (Doctoral) Programmes in 24 areas of research in 8 disciplines at a function held at its Azara Campus near Guwahati airport on 23 August 2011. The areas of current socially relevant study include Social Work and North-East India Studies, as well as scientific research in Physics, Chemical Sciences, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Forensic Science and Computer Science.
While archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, an outstanding peace negotiator in northeast India inaugurated these programmes, Dr Sebastian Karotemprel, an eminent scholar in northeast India and former president of Sacred Heart College Shillong spoke on...
The performance of Udalguri students,which won third prize in the All Assam Inter district quiz on new and renewable energy held at Silpagram, Guwahati has been appreciated by people of the district.The state level science quiz was organized by Bharat Jana Bigyan Jatha,Assam branch in association with Assam Energy Development Agency,Guwahati at Silpagram, on August 19 2011,on the occasion of Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Urja Diwas. Selected students from 26 districts of Assam participated in the inter-district quiz conducted by Sanjeev Goswami. Dr.SK Choudhury, Director ASTEC formally inaugurated the competition on August 19 in the Silpagram auditorium.Tarun Gogoi,Chief Minister,Assam gave...
A week-long Tai dance Workshop by artist from Shan state of Myanmer, organised by Sukhpha International, started from August 20 is going at Sivasagar and Amguri Deodhai Gaon. Sai Leang Han, the team leader and Sai Khaw Than, Sai Naung and Nang Saw Ohn Mar are members of the training team. Tutul Handique, an Assamese NRI is the coordinatng the event.
The silence of the beautiful green valley of Thimpu, the capital city of Bhutan was broken with the the eruption of Howeymusic by International Indian band Abiogenesis from Dimapur, Nagaland on 15th August 2011 in front of a mammoth gathering at the Clock Tower, at the heart of Thimpu from 2 pm. This was the launch of Bhutan Star season 3, the most popular reality show in Bhutan to find the best singing star in Bhutan. Moa a band member was asked to sign at the Bhutan Star certificates which were given to the participants. Abiogenesis performed their brand of Howey music from their three albums Aeon Spell, Rustic Relish and Slice of Heaven. The crowd was very responsive and sang...
Gauhati University Research Scholars’ Association (GURSA) today staged a sit-in protest demonstration at the Gauhati University campus against the arrest of Gandhian Anna Hazare and his associates by the Delhi Police. G.U.R.S.A condemned such an uncalled for action by the government authority and categorically termed the action undemocratic and unconstitutional. The Secretary of GURSA has appealed for the rejection of the Govt. drafted Lokpal Bill which has failed to take cognizance of all the concerns of the populace of the country. Calling for stringent action against corruption, the association pledges to undertake indefinite strike in the event of the non-acceptance of the Jan...
Assam Photo Journalists Association is organizing a day long photography workshop for school children on August 19 to mark the World Photography Day and also to increase the interest of photography in the young students at the Guwahati Press Club premises from 10.00 am.
Interested students are requested to reach the Press Club by 9.00 and register their names on the said day in the Press Club Premises, due to paucity of space a maximum of 50 students will be accommodated on the basis of first come first serve.
Those students who have some experience of photography can also bring their photographs taken earlier for sharing with other students.
For any queries please contact...
Defying the dangerous general strike call by the insurgent outfits Assam is celebrating the Independence Day with traditional fervor. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi urged the militant outfits operating in the state to come forward for peace. Unfurling the tricolor in the morning on Monday at the Latashil Playground, Gogoi said the peace process between government and the ULFA is on right direction and he hoped that the Paresh Baruah-led faction would also join the process to help Assam restore permanent peace. He further said Assam is making notable progress on the law and order front.
The Chief Minister said bandh culture is leaving an adverse impact on the process and development and...
Defying militant diktat Assam is celebrating the Independence Day with much pomp and gaiety on Monday. Apprehending militant activities, the authorities have stepped up security across the state during the Independence Day. Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is unfurling the national tricolor and inspected guard of honour by the army, police, para military forces and scouts and guides at the Latasheel Playground in Guwahati in the morning. Ministers and MLAs are also unfurling flags in the district headquarters. There is no report of any untoward incident from any place of the state.
Notably, ULFA and 11 other militant outfits are giving call for general strike from Monday midnight. On the...
A truck driver was killed and four others have been injured when suspected Karbi Peoples Liberation Tigers rebels opened fire on the borders of Karbi Anglong and Golaghat district on Saturday. The incident took place at around 5-30 in the morning on the National Highway No 37 in Bokakhat. The militants were firing from the Karbi Anglong side on a truck and another vehicle. The truck driver died on the spot, while the four passengers of the other vehicle were injured, two of them seriously.
Eleven other people who were coming from Sivasagar on a Bolero were injured as they tried to flee the firing site in panic. The two seriously injured are senior leaders of Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba...
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