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.
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As part of an international webinar series on different facets of Sankaradeva Studies, organized by the Society for Srimanta Sankaradeva in association with Naamghar Association of America, USA (NAAM...
The veteran sports journalist of Assam and the founder president of Guwahati Press Club (GPC), Pulin Das will attend the Guest of the Month programme of GPC on December 30. The programme will begin at 1 pm in the GPC auditorium.Prior to it, the nonagenarian personality will be felicitated by the press club. Mr Das has maintained his health and plays lawn tennis regularly. Nava Thakuria, Secy, GPC
Assam Association, Delhi has celebrated Eid Milan on 23rd December at Srimanta Sankaradeva Bhawan. Eid has been celebrated by the Association since its inception on regular basis. The function was started with the welcome address by the president Gr Cpt (retd) A C Barua. Holy Koran was recited by a young member of the Association. Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, who served as Medical Counsel of Indian Embassy in Holy city of Mecca for many years shared his experience as a ‘Haji’ and as an spectator of this annual ritual, where millions from all over the world congregate to visit the holiest of holy places of Islam. Mr. Tassaduque Hussain, a ‘haji’ himself spoke about the...
Finally Assam gets to flaunt its very own Open University. The very first open university of the state – Krishna Kanta Handique Open University (KKHOU) which was set up last year opened its doors for students recently as it started its academic activities with a Bachelor’s Preparatory Programme (BPP).KKHOU is an answer to the prayers of those student’s who have been unable to continue with their studies owing to various reasons. Though Assam has been flooded by other Universities providing rather claiming to provide distance learning courses but these universities are of questionable repute as they are plagued by recognition issues. Moreover, the exams are not held...
The people of Nagaland have witnessed the humble beginning of the Hornbill Festival in 2001 in Kohima Local ground, the venue of which has been changed to Kisama now. The festival has been named after the Hornbill a bird (Dhanesh Chiriya) which is abundantly referred to in Naga customs and traditions. But this bird which signifies the Naga identity is almost extinct due to mindless killing and lack of thick forest -- their breeding place. The Naga cultural troupes today use paper feathers and wooden Hornbill in cultural festivals since there is no living Hornbill easily traceable in Nagaland. If a Hornbill sanctuary is developed in the outskirts of Kisama along with all other colorful...
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Santipur police, in Karbi Anglong, recovered the bodies of two youth — one Prasanta Nath of Naharjan Nathgaon, Bokakhat and another unidentified — from the Upper Rangsali Hansegaon. Police also recovered one AK-47 rifle cartridge and 15 rifle cartridges from the spot. KOUSHIK HAZARIKA
The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against the Election Commission of India (ECI) which allowed the inclusion of Chakma and Hajong refugees' names in the electoral roll.After a tour by AAPSU delegation in the Chakma-Hajong inhabited Assembly constituencies at Doimukh, Chowkham, Bordumsa-Diyum and Miaoto area they have found out this crucial information. The PIL was filed with the Itanagar bench of Gauhati High Court. In a statement issued by the organisation they alleged that a few leaders in those area were playing with the fundamental rights of the indigenous population.
The movement for Gorkhaland is gaining momentum not only in the hills but also among the Indian Nepali masses from all over the residing in Delhi who protested against the sixth schedule and for a separate state for the gorkhas comprising Darjeeling and dooars.The newly formed Gorkha Janmukti morcha (GJMM) with its firebrand leader, president of GJMM - Mr Bimal Gurung is spearheading the gorkhaland cause. According to senior leader, general secretary of GJMM Mr Roshan Giri creation of state is the only solution and not sixth schedule and it would fulfill the long standing demand of not only Darjilingites but also the rest of Indian gorkhas. The hills opposition parties, GJMM, ABGL, CPRM,...
An MP from Bihar has reached the Supreme Court seeking probe into the alleged link of Assam’s health minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma with ULFA.In a PIL, the minister named Sukhdeo Paswan further alleges Dr Sarma’s involvement in the ULFA’s attack on the Biharis.He alleged that several criminal cases with a TADA case was pending against him which is why is using his political influence get ride of the laws.Another serious charge against Mr Sarma, according to Mr Paswan, is an extortion case of over Rs 90 lakh on behalf of ULFA. He said this is why he was allegedly booked under the TADA on January 12, 1991 at the Pan Bazar Police Station.Filed by counsel C D Singh on behalf...
Muslim people celebrated Eid-ul-zuha across the north eastern region on Friday with much religious favour and solemnity. Reports of huge congregations for community namaj are pouring in from different parts of the region. This follows the officering of sacrifice of animals. Known as the feast of the sacrifice in Islam, Eid Ul Zuha is celebrated on the tenth day of Zul-Hijja, which is the last month of the lunar Islamic calendar, and also marks the end of the annual Haj pilgrimage. The festival of sacrifice, also known as the Greater Eid, is the second most important festival in the Muslim calendar after Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the fasting month of Ramzan. Muslims in large...
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