Friday, June 29, 2007

GOVT SAYS PROJECTS TAKEN UP 'IN BEST INTEREST OF THE SIKKIM'


GOVT WANTS ACT TO END HYDRO PROJECT PROTESTS

GANGTOK: Even as the hunger strike by the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) entered its 9th day today, the State government has continued with its studied silence on its issue, except for appeals to the Satyagrahis to end the protests through press statements.
An IPR press release informs that a meeting was held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary here today to “review about the relay hunger strike by ACT.”
The meeting was attended by senior Government officers from various Departments.
The press release states that the State Government is “deeply concerned about the whole matter as the power projects have been taken up in the best interest of the State and its people for the overall development, including generation of revenue,” adding that “the projects were initiated after obtaining necessary clearances from the competent authorities.”
“In the last meeting held on June 25, ACT had requested for certain documents. The required documents have been handed over to them and the ACT representatives have been invited for a meeting on June 29.
The State Government is “hopeful that ACT would call off the relay hunger strike in the interest of the State and its people,” the press release adds