Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, OCT 28:
Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe (Adiwasi) Congress state chairman Advocate Tami Pangu has alleged large-scale irregularities in the allocation of hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh, claiming that agreements for 153 dam projects have been signed without adequate public knowledge and consent.
In a press conference held at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) here on Wednesday, Pangu alleged that the projects threaten tribal rights over land, rivers and forests, while raising concerns over the collection and utilisation of upfront premiums and processing fees from hydropower developers.
According to the release, the 153 projects are spread across eight river basins, including 11 in the Tawang basin, 42 in the Kameng basin, 17 in the Dikrong basin, 18 in the Subansiri basin, 35 in the Siang basin, 14 in the Dibang basin, 13 in the Lohit basin and three in the Tirap basin.
Pangu alleged that the rapid allocation of hydropower projects began after amendments to the Arunachal Pradesh Power Policy, 2005, in 2007, which introduced non-refundable upfront premiums based on project capacity. He claimed that more than 230 memoranda of agreement (MoAs) involving 159 companies were signed between 2007 and 2011, generating substantial revenue through processing fees and upfront premiums.
The Congress leader further alleged that more than Rs 1,500 crore was collected from hydropower developers, citing information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act. He named NHPC, Reliance Power, NEEPCO and Jindal, among other companies, in connection with the payments.
Questioning the transparency and accountability surrounding the funds, Pangu demanded a white paper detailing the amounts collected, their utilisation and the status of the projects. He also called for a judicial inquiry by a sitting High Court judge or a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged financial irregularities.
On the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), Pangu alleged that the 11,500-MW project was not part of the earlier agreements and claimed that it was subsequently introduced to adjust Rs 252 crore received from NHPC for the Tawang-I and Tawang-II hydropower projects, which he described as failed projects.
He further alleged that several hydropower projects were reallotted to private companies and public sector undertakings after the government informed the Gauhati High Court’s Itanagar Permanent Bench that certain projects had been terminated or were being considered for cancellation. He claimed that the reallotments were made without fresh bidding, contrary to the government’s earlier affidavit.
Emphasising that the Congress was not opposed to development, Pangu said hydropower development must be pursued with public consultation, transparency and the consent of affected communities.
He also raised concerns over the protection of tribal land and customary rights, referring to the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873, and alleging that several project agreements were executed without adequate public information, Gram Sabha consent, landowner consent and compliance with applicable safeguards under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, and the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Pangu warned that such practices could undermine the rights of indigenous communities and called for greater transparency in decisions concerning the state’s rivers and natural resources.
The Adiwasi Congress has placed four key demands before the state government: scrapping MoAs signed without Gram Sabha consent, environmental and social impact assessments, and adequate public disclosure; publishing a white paper on all upfront payments; initiating fresh consultations with Gaon Burahs, community-based organisations, student unions and affected families; and signing any new MoA only after securing free, prior and informed consent in accordance with applicable laws.
“Development we want, but not at the cost of our land, rivers and future generations,” Pangu said.
