Members of PDMAP demand cancellation of 142 MoUs signed by Arunachal government

FAILURE TO COMMISSION ARUNACHAL HYDRO PROJECTS

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Claiming that the shortlisted power companies have completely breached the terms and conditions of the agreements by failing to commission any of the hydro projects so far, members of the PDMAP 'Pro-Dam Movement of Arunachal Pradesh) have demanded immediate cancellation of as many as 142 MoUs (Memorandums of Understanding) signed by the State government with several private power companies

Addressing media persons at the Press Club here, PDMAP president Taw Paul informed that they had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on April 28 last seeking termination of the MoUs while also placing its 13 other demands related to hydro-power projects in the State for the consideration of the government.

Disclosing that a total amount of Rs 1,495.73 crore was collected from various power developers -- both public and private -- as upfront costs for the hydro projects in the State, the PDMAP has sought a white paper on the details of expenditure incurred on the projects.

"The State government should come clean on this; and, reveal to the public details of the expenditures incurred on these projects. While the government continues to collect upfront costs in crores, the status of the projects on the ground speaks something else," added Paul.

Citing the instance of the 'Indo-Arun Hydro Power Corporation Ltd' (IAHPC), he also called for exploration of possibilities on making joint venture companies with Central PSUs and State agencies so that both mega and micro-hydro projects could be harnessed and thereby create employment opportunities for the unemployed youths of the State.

Paul further sought a white paper on the revenue obtained at 12 per cent from the already commissioned hydro projects like the 40-MW Ranganadi hydroelectricity project (HEP), 110-MW Pare HEP and 600-MW Kameng HEP. ''The State government should bring into the public domain all the details about the investment/expenditure made from the revenue collected from the commissioned hydro projects,'' added Paul.

As a welfare measure in the interest of the denizens of the State, provision should be made by the government for free distribution of electricity from the power generated from these hydroelectric projects, pointed out the PDMAP president.

Further disclosing that ''in 2007, the State government had taken a loan to the tune of Rs 225 crore at 9 per cent interest per annum from NHPC Ltd to revive the Apex Bank of the State, Paul said that the money has not yet been returned in full to the NHPC. The Apex Bank authority is saying that they had received only Rs 180 crore out of the total Rs 225 crore borrowed from NHPC Ltd. What about the balance? What are the modalities adopted to repay the loan amount.''

Also claiming that illegal logging and deforestation activities are going on in the Dollungmukh area in the name of submergence area of Lower Subansiri HEP, Paul said that ''illegal logging activities are being done mostly outside the notified submergence area of the project thereby causing random loss of natural flora and fauna. In the general interest of the concerned public, the State government should highlight the remedial measures taken.''

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