Gangtok:A relay hunger strike organised by Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), an NGO in Sikkim, entered the fourth week . The NGO has been demanding the scrapping of hydro-power projects in the state.
The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) said it will not bow to any pressure as the projects are of “paramount importance” for state’s development. The government claimed that the strike has been organised with “outside” support as none of the land-owner of Dzongu area has taken part in the protest.
The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) said it will not bow to any pressure as the projects are of “paramount importance” for state’s development. The government claimed that the strike has been organised with “outside” support as none of the land-owner of Dzongu area has taken part in the protest.
"The agitators are from Kalimpong, Darjeeling and other areas. They do not belong to Sikkim,” claimed Bhim Dahal, former MP and a leader of the SDF.
He said the Dzongu residents are satisfied with the land compensation deal.
Government officials pointed out that the state and central government had been monitoring the environmental and forest clearance in all seven hydro projects in north Sikkim.
Of the 31 hydro projects, most are coming up on the public-private partnership (PPP) model with government equity share participation. National Hydroelectric Power Corporation is the only public sector undertaking that has got three projects in Sikkim.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said, “In the hydro-projects, the investment will be above Rs 30,000 crore in the next ten years. The total power generation will be over 6,000 MW. The state will earn huge revenues by selling power to other states.”
He added that investment in the industry and tourism sectors will be Rs10,000 crore during the same period.
But the NGO claimed that the projects would damage the environment and could also pose the danger to the state’s tribal population.
He said the Dzongu residents are satisfied with the land compensation deal.
Government officials pointed out that the state and central government had been monitoring the environmental and forest clearance in all seven hydro projects in north Sikkim.
Of the 31 hydro projects, most are coming up on the public-private partnership (PPP) model with government equity share participation. National Hydroelectric Power Corporation is the only public sector undertaking that has got three projects in Sikkim.
Chief Minister Pawan Chamling said, “In the hydro-projects, the investment will be above Rs 30,000 crore in the next ten years. The total power generation will be over 6,000 MW. The state will earn huge revenues by selling power to other states.”
He added that investment in the industry and tourism sectors will be Rs10,000 crore during the same period.
But the NGO claimed that the projects would damage the environment and could also pose the danger to the state’s tribal population.
