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.
A workshop on citizen journalism and new media was held on March 23 at Handique Girls College, Guwahati. The workshop was organised by Assam Times in collaboration with North East Girl Students Association (NEGSA). Students of Handique Girls College, Krishna Kanta Handique State open University were participated in this event. Talking about new media Babul Gogoi, editor of Assam Times said that it helps common people spread news and information easily. He said that people without professional training on journalism can now use new media tools to inform one another. Banamallika Choudhury of from Action Aid, Guwahati, and photo joutrnalist Utpal Baruah, and Suresh Ranjan Gaduka, editor of...
Media Archives-cum-National Reference Library on the North East (Media Trust, Assam) has organized a five-day ‘Workshop-cum-Intensive Training on Preservation of Rare and Old Documents’ in the city. The workshop to be held on the premises of Media Trust, Assam at Rupnagar will start from March 24.
Organized in collaboration with National Library, Kolkata (under the Indian Cultural Ministry), the workshop will be inaugurated by TG Baruah, Chairman of the Tribune Group of newspapers.
The keynote address will be delivered by Dr MV Nair, Director, National Research Laboratory of Conservation, Lucknow. The inaugural session will also be addressed by Alaka Buragohain, Honorary Director, Media...
Eminent painter, cartoonist and film-maker of Assam, Pulak Gogoi will attend the ‘Guest of the Month’ program of Guwahati Press Club on March 22 (Monday) next. The program will start at 1 pm in the press club auditorium.
Hailing from Jorhat, Gogoi joined ‘The Assam Tribune’ in 1962 as a cartoonist and slowly stepped into the world of oil painting. His works of art were displayed in many places in the country. Later he tried his hands with film-making also. His debut ‘Khoj’ was well appreciated by the film goers in Assam. Some of his other films include ‘Srimati Mohimamoyee’, ‘Maram Nadir Gabhoru Ghat’, ‘Sadori’,...
It was believed that in ancient days, during the forefather’s time, the entire world was enveloped with total darkness and day and night could not be differentiated. The darkness was so thick that people could not even go out for collection of firewood and water.
They remained inside their homes for six days and by then they ran short of everything.
In order to keep the fire burning inside homes, they burnt every available thing and when nothing was left they were compelled to burn even horns of buffaloes, mithuns and cows that were hung in front of their houses.
On the seventh day the light can as usual. The people of the earth became extremely and by way of giving thanks to...
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday tabled state budget for 2010-11 announcing a slew of measures to the voters a year ahead of the assembly polls. The budget has a huge Rs3464.46 crore deficit figure but is teeming with populist measures. Gogoi, who also holds the finance portfolio said the state's rate of growth touches 6 per cent. He said the government will set up a machinary to regulate the market which he said will help them rein in priceline. This is Gogoi's last full fledged budget in his second term.
Gogoi announced 10 kg free rice per month for BPL families. Besides he proposed slash in the entry tax in garments, steel, and waived entry tax on fish and eggs. The chief...
Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi is all set to table the state budget for 2010-11 just a shortwhile from now. This will be his last full fledge one in his second term. According to sources, to be tabled by Gogoi, who hold the finance portfolio, the budget has no fresh proposal for tax and there is no harsh measure in it in view of the next assembly polls.
Despite hectic political confabulation, the ruling Congress and the opposition parties have yet to finalise candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls for 2 seats from Assam. The last date for filing of nomination falls on Tuesday for the poll slated for March 26. The opposition lacks consensus on candidate. AGP seeks BJP support to field it's own candidate. The saffron party pins hope on AGP support citing an old pact. The impasse would be over by Monday.
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