Cabinet to discuss power projects: CM

Itanagar, Apr 12 (UNI) Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has kickstarted an era of development with help from state leaders, including former chief minister Gegong Apang, sources said today.

In a meeting held here in the chief minister's chamber in the state secretariat on Tuesday, the chief minister discussed the issue of execution of Lower(2000 MW), Idli(1500 MW) and Upper Subansiri(2500 MW) hydropower projects.

Attended by legislators Nido Pavitra and Jomde Kena, whose constituencies fall within the project areas, the meeting discussed in threadbare all aspects of the project, sources informed.

The boundary dispute should not be mixed up with the national project, MLA Pavitra said, adding that signing of an MoU would directly accrue numerous benefits to Arunachal, including 12 per cent free share of power, compensation for relief and rehabilitation, employment opportunities and social package covering construction of roads, establishment of schools, hospitals, among others.

While about 70-80 per cent Lower Subansiri project work have been completed by the national Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd(NHPC), the project has already paid Rs 9.18 crore to the affected people of Lower Subansiri district, sources informed.

MLA Kena also informed that Rs 2.40 crore has already been paid to West Siang district as compensation. However, the amount was yet to be released to the people, they said, and pleaded for immediate signing of MoU and disbursal of compensation to affected villagers.

After the swearing-in ceremony on April 9, Power Minister Mr Khandu announced that central PSUs like NEEPCO, NHPC and NTPC would be given preference to tap the state's vast hydropower potentials, while MoAs signed with private developers would be reviewed.

Mr Khandu also informed the budget session of the state assembly recently that the state would earn about Rs 7,000 crore hydro-revenue once the projects were completed by 2015-16.

Despite possessing the highest hydropower potential to become the future powerhouse of the country, Arunachal's power sector was yet to get the desired thrust, particularly due to fund crunch as well as boundary tangle with neighbouring Asom.

Meanwhile, the Arunachal Citizens' Right(ACR) urged the incumbent chief minister to scrap all MoAs signed with the private developers and give preference to CPSUs as they were accountable to government and public.

UNI