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.
NEF Law College, a front ranking law institute of North East region affiliated to Gauhati University organized a National level seminar on ‘Professional Ethics and Advocacy’ and ‘Legal Techniques on the conservation of Energy and Preservation of Natural Resources ‘ on April 30 at the colleges premises. The inaugural programme started with the lighting of the lamp by Hon’ble Justice Dr. Mukunda Kam Sharma, Judge, Supreme Court of India who was also the chief guest of the programme. Zakir Hussain, Director of the college welcomed the gathering and Dr. Ruma Bordoloi, Principal, NEF Law College highlighted the achievements of the college and also the relevance and...
A pedestrian was killed this afternoon when he was mowed down by a water tanker near crowded Imphal Post office on Saturday. The victim died on the spot and the body has been deposited at RIMS Mortuary.
In another incident, two children, a girl and a boy, were killed and other three injured when a Tata Magic collided with an autorickshaw in which they were travelling at around 12:30 p.m. at Lilong Meitei Lamkhai in Thoubal district, police said. Makakmayum Surya (9) of Lilong Haoreibi Chandrakhong was rushed to the Lilong Primary Health Centre but succumbed to her injuries. The other victim, who was believed to be the same age was died at JNIMS. The injured were identified to be...
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday raided the Lamyanba Complex at Kunung Mamang in Imphal East. A team of CRPF and state police led by the agency raided the complex at around 11 AM where the offices of the Ireibak daily, Lamyanba Communications, Lamyanba Printers and a Polo Club are located. During the raid, all the staff and visitors were not allowed to go outside the complex. Upon receiving the information, a team of media rushed to the spot for coverage however the security forces blocked their way.
A student delegate of Northeast states today met Irom Chanu Sharmila, who is undergoing fast-unto-death on the demand of withdrawal of AFSPA from Manipur, to show solidarity and support to her struggle. Speaking to media, Dr. Samujal, Chairman, NESO, said that the student organization organized a sit –in-protest at Guwahati on Monday to support Sharmila’s movement. He said the Government has not invoked the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 in the volatile Naxal and Maoist infested states. The Act has not brought any peace except atrocities on the people of the region. On the other hand,the Government of India without any hesitation agreed on drafting the Lokpal Bill,...
A man has been arrested by police for allegedly attempting to rape a minor girl in Sugnu, Thoubal district on April 25. The incident happened On apri 24 night at Sugnu Awang Leikai when 61-year-old Thokchom Menjor molested a nine-year-old girl of the same locality and tried to rape her inside his house. An irate mob beaten him up and dismantled the house. Later, he was arrested by Thoubal police and remanded to police custody for five days, they said.
Like other parts of the world, World Heritage Day was celebrated in the Northeast as well. The North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), under the Ministry of Culture, organized a cultural performance on April 18 last at its premises to mark the occasion. A coffee table book, ‘North East India: Life, People and Culture’, was also released on the occasion.
The cultural performance was marked by dance as well as music performances. Dance troupes from various tribal communities, including the Lotha Nagas, Ao Nagas and Tati singers performed on the occasion.
Veteran journalist and editor of Nagaland Post Geoffrey Yaden graced the occasion as the Chief Guest along with a host of...
The first Udalguri Youth Festival,2011 has been inaugurated at Udalguri on April 23 at 10 AM.The five days festival has been organised by 315 Field Regiment (KARGIL) under the aegis of Red Horns Division and in association with Udalguri district administration at Deputy Commissioner's parade ground,Udalguri. Col.Sunil Upadhaya,Commanding Officer,315 Field regiment introduced the distinguished to the people while Brig.VK Tiwari,Commander,21 Artillery Brigade welcomed all including distinguished guests.On behalf of the Udalguri district administration,noted writer cum Deputy Commissioner,Udalguri, Thaneswar Malakar,felicitated Maj.Gen NS Ghei,GOC,Red Horns Division,Rangia and his wife with...
The request of the Election Commission of India to the voters to come out to vote, become 100% successful at a poling station of Gauripur Assembly Constituency, in Dhubri district.
It came to light that as per the official documents all the 956 voters of 2265 Sajuarkuti L.P. School voted. Again all the female voters (498) of 1339 no. Dangirchar L.P. School voted too.
This incident raises eyebrows of the conscious people of the district. Some people also questioned the role of media too, because till date none raised any question. Some people are now telling that dead people of those polling station voted too as there are five persons who died, but names were in the voter list.
The...
Eminent art critic and cultural activist Shanta Serbjeet Singh will attend the ‘Guest of the Month’ program of Guwahati Press Club on April 23 at 2.30 pm.
The elected Chairperson of APPAN INTERNATIONAL (Asia-Pacific Performing Arts Network set up under the aegis of UNESCO in 2000), Shanta Serbjeet will interact with the member-journalists on the occasion.
Honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award of Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2000, Shanta Serbjeet contributed critical articles on performing arts for many national dailies. An MA in International Relations from the University of Berkeley, California Shanta Serbjeet has penned many books including Indian Dance: The Ultimate...
A top leader of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) faction of Lanheiba group has been arrested by a team of Bishnupur district police commandos last evening at around 5 PM, police said on Wednesday. Acting on a tip off, a team of Bishnupur district police commandos conducted a search operation at Thanga Oinam Leikai under Moirang police station in Bishnupur district, Manipur last evening and arrested Oinam Ghana (30) son of Meino of Thanga Oinam Leikai in the same district.
On spot verification, police could identified the arrested person to be the Bishnupur district commander of KCP Lanheiba group. Police recovered one 9 mm pistol and some ammunition from his...
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