[Assam] Dhemaji student body ultimatum on Subansiri dam (The Assam Tribune, 21.12.2007)

[Buljit Buragohain]

              Dhemaji student body ultimatum on Subansiri dam
By A Staff Reporter
 GUWAHATI, Dec 20 – The All Dhemaji District Students’ Union (ADDSU) today warned of a vigorous agitation after the panchayat elections if the construction of the Lower Subansiri Hydel Power Project’s main dam is not put off till the experts complete the study on its impact in the downstream areas. It needs mention here that a committee comprising experts from Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University and Guwahati IIT was formed following a decision at a meeting attended by the representatives of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Assam Government and the NHPC on December 8, 2006. 

The mandate of the committee was to assess the impact of the power project dam on the people of the downstream areas.

The meeting presided over by State’s Power Minister Pradyut Bordoloi also decided that until the completion of the study by the experts, the construction of the main dam would be put on hold.

But it is now found that while the study is at its preliminary stage, the NHPC has started the construction work of the coffer dam. This is due to the weakness of the State Government that the NHPC authorities have dared to flout the decision of the December 8, 2006 meeting and to play with the life and property of the people of several districts, said the ADDSU.

Meanwhile, the AASU has already placed its demand before the State Government and the NHPC authorities to stop construction of the dam. But the State Government is still maintaining silence over the issue. The mysterious silence of the Power Minister on the issue is also remarkable, said the ADDSU.

The ADDSU has also demanded immediate steps to repair the breached embankments of the district within January next and inquiry in to the alleged corruption involving the Rs 21-crore dam. 

The students’ body has also called for steps to repair the PWD and PMGSY, roads of the district damaged by the floods within the next month.
            
























  (The Assam Tribune,21.12.2007)


       
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