Protestors accuse State Govt of violating MoEF clearance for Dzongu Panam Project
GANGTOK: The Satyagarahis on the indefinite hunger strike got a moral boost on the 9th day when five ladies joined the hunger strike from today.
With Dawa Lepcha still in the Hospital, Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha, who has been on the hunger strike since day one and Norbu Tshering Lepcha and Chimi Ongyal Lepcha, Dzongu youths, have been joined by six others, including five ladies.
The six new entrants are all from Dzongu. The ladies include-Pemki Lepcha (57), Chumki Lepcha (43), Nimkit Lepcha (40), Lhakit Lepcha (22) and Ongmu Lepcha (23). Sonam Tobgay has also joined the hunger strike along with them.
With Dawa Lepcha still in the Hospital, Tenzing Gyatso Lepcha, who has been on the hunger strike since day one and Norbu Tshering Lepcha and Chimi Ongyal Lepcha, Dzongu youths, have been joined by six others, including five ladies.
The six new entrants are all from Dzongu. The ladies include-Pemki Lepcha (57), Chumki Lepcha (43), Nimkit Lepcha (40), Lhakit Lepcha (22) and Ongmu Lepcha (23). Sonam Tobgay has also joined the hunger strike along with them.
Ms. Pemki Lepcha, who is the senior-most to join the hunger strike so far, said that she would continue sitting on the hunger strike “as long as she can.”
Meanwhile, ACT has questioned whether the State Government had violated the mandatory clearances given by the Union Ministry of Environment & Forest while implementing the Hydro Electric Projects in the State by pointed out certain disparities in them.
In a press release, ACT has pointed out that the State Government, through a press statement issued on June 25, had “claimed that it has complied with all the procedures established by law and the mandatory clearances given by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India, while implementing the Hydro Electric Projects in Sikkim.” “However the Government of India has given the mandatory environmental clearances for 280 MW and 56.385 hectares of land for Panam Hydro Project in Dzongu in North Sikkim. Later, the Land Revenue Department, in the name of the Governor has notified vide Notification No. 17/802/LR (S) dated 1-6-2007 that 53.2190 hectares of land are being acquired for 300MW Panam Hydro Project.”
“The clearance given by the Ministry of Environment & Forests is for 280 MW and 56.385 hectares of land for Panam Hydro Project, while the State Government is acquiring 53.2190 hectares of land for 300 MW Panam Hydro Project. Has there been a violation of the clearance given by the Centre? The concerned Department has to explain the matter to the general public,” Sherab Lepcha, General Secretary, ACT, said.
Meanwhile, ACT has questioned whether the State Government had violated the mandatory clearances given by the Union Ministry of Environment & Forest while implementing the Hydro Electric Projects in the State by pointed out certain disparities in them.
In a press release, ACT has pointed out that the State Government, through a press statement issued on June 25, had “claimed that it has complied with all the procedures established by law and the mandatory clearances given by the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Govt. of India, while implementing the Hydro Electric Projects in Sikkim.” “However the Government of India has given the mandatory environmental clearances for 280 MW and 56.385 hectares of land for Panam Hydro Project in Dzongu in North Sikkim. Later, the Land Revenue Department, in the name of the Governor has notified vide Notification No. 17/802/LR (S) dated 1-6-2007 that 53.2190 hectares of land are being acquired for 300MW Panam Hydro Project.”“The clearance given by the Ministry of Environment & Forests is for 280 MW and 56.385 hectares of land for Panam Hydro Project, while the State Government is acquiring 53.2190 hectares of land for 300 MW Panam Hydro Project. Has there been a violation of the clearance given by the Centre? The concerned Department has to explain the matter to the general public,” Sherab Lepcha, General Secretary, ACT, said.
