Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, SEP 10:

The Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project (RHEP) MoU Demand Committee (RMDC) has served a 30-day ultimatum to the state government and NEEPCO Ltd to fulfil its charter of demands, including implementation of the Local Area Development Fund (LADF) and 100 percent Group C and D employment for eligible local youths, particularly project-affected families (PAFs).

Addressing media persons at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) here on Thursday, RMDC chairman Taba Techi expressed concern over the alleged non-implementation of provisions of the National Hydro Power Policy (NHPP), 2007 and the State Hydro Power Policy (SHPP), 2008.

He said the PAFs of the 405 MW Panyor Lower Hydro Electric Project (PLHPS), formerly known as the Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project, have been deprived of their legitimate rights due to the alleged non-implementation of key policy provisions.

Techi said the committee has repeatedly submitted representations to the state government and the project authorities over its 13-point charter of demands, of which only three demands have been fulfilled, while several major issues remain pending.

The pending demands include reconstitution of the Local Area Development Committee (LADC) and appointment of genuine PAF members to key positions in the committee to prevent political interference.

The committee has also demanded formal signing of the project MoU on par with contemporary state power projects, devolution of one percent free power allocation for LADF from NEEPCO Ltd, implementation of the revised rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) package, and execution of recommendations of the joint survey and R&R proceedings.

It further demanded strict adherence to 100 percent local recruitment for Group C and D posts, with priority to PAF youths over external labour contractors.

The RMDC also sought mandatory implementation of CSR-CD schemes strictly within project-affected areas through the designated local oversight committee, removal of non-affected villages allegedly included in the Papum Pare segment of the PLHPS affected-area list, and implementation of a uniform LADF policy across hydro projects in the state.

Techi also raised concern over what he termed as a lack of parity in LADF implementation among hydro power projects in the state.

He claimed that while other commissioned hydro projects are utilising 100 percent of LADF funds directly in project-affected areas under the revised state policy, the 405 MW PLHPS continues to be subjected to an outdated split-allocation system, including in relation to the one percent State Matching Share.

“This systematic non-parity discriminates against the land donors of the state’s first mega hydro power project,” he claimed.

The RMDC has warned that if the state government and NEEPCO Ltd fail to provide a satisfactory response and initiate concrete administrative measures within 30 days, it would be compelled to launch democratic movements to pursue the rights of project-affected families.

The committee said the ultimatum has been served in the interest of justice and equality for the PAFs.