PPA bats for hydro power

OUR CORRESPONDENT

Itagar, Sept 6:  In a surprising U-turn, People’s Party of Aruchal (PPA) one of the vocal opponents of big hydro dams in the state, has said tapping of hydropower potentials is the only viable option that can give the state economic freedom and sustaible development to the future generation of the state.

In a meeting on development of Hydropower Projects in the state of Aruchal here yesterday, Kahfa Bengia, President said that, “At the time when the state is passing through a critical phase of grave fincial crisis never before experienced in the political history of state, the news of litigation in the form of yet another Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against execution of all the Hydropower Projects in the four Siang districts by a group of civil rights activists is sadly myopic, vision less and bound to take the people of these areas a century backward”.

The party sought withdrawal of the case.

If Aruchal has to evolve and grow as an economically self reliant state, there should be no hindrances of any kind against any of the projects identified along the rivers, the party said while requesting all the youth, intellectuals and various civil societies to extend cooperation in achieving the goal.

The PPA said that hydropower and promotion of Tourism are altertive long term economic policy to do away with decades old ‘Dependency Syndrome’ on Central Grants.

Mindless signing of MOUs/ MOAs against almost all the river basins of the state without taking into confidence the opinions of the primary stakeholders has been the main reason behind the delay in executions of the projects. The stakeholders should be made to feel that they are the equal partners in developing these projects, Kahfa added.

Kaling Jerang, Secretary General of the party said, “If the people do not feel comfortable and secure with the high rising mega dam projects, these projects need not be pushed down their throat forcibly”.

We all should stand united in extending all possible help and cooperation for the early execution of all the smaller and medium sized socially and environmentally viable projects proposed, he added.