Ronya urges cancellation of MoU with private companies

Itanagar, Apr 19 (UNI) Former Power Minister Lijum Ronya today alleged that the MoU signed between the state government and private companies in February 2006, for construction of Mega Hydel projects was a violation of the 1873 Eastern Bengal Regulation Act.

In a letter to Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu yesterday, Mr Ronya urged the government to cancel the MoU and sign a new one between the state and National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC) for Middle Siang, in order to allow the commencement of construction work within this year.

The former power minister said during his tenure, Siang basin, Subansiri basin and Dibang basin power projects were handed over to NHPC to take up survey, investigation and construction of mega power projects after obtaining no objection certificates from the Brahmaputra Board.

But, unfortunately, 3900 MW Siang basin Mega Hydel Projects - Rottung 1700 MW, Nyaying 1000 MW, Hirong 500 MW, and Tato II 700 MW were handed over to private companies on February 22, 2006 during Gegong Apang's regime, which was not in conformity with the existing law in the country, Ronya alleged in the letter.

The private companies neither have commenced any survey investigation work nor created any infrastructure for the projects, he alleged.

However, NHPC has established infrastructure like staff accommodation, transit inspection bungalow in the vicinity of Middle Siang after the completion of survey investigation and was considered by the Centre for the 10th Five Year Plan.

The Sudden allotment of Middle Siang to Reliance Energy Private Ltd had derailed NHPC's efforts, Ronya said.

Simultaneously, North Eastern Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO) was given Kameng basin, Lohit basin and Hirik basin to undertake survey investigation work.

The 600 MW Kameng Hydel Project survey investigation was completed during 1984 and a MoU was signed between NEEPCO and NHPC during 2001 and the construction of the project is in full swing, Ronya claimed.

However, the survey investigation work of Hirik Hydel project sanctioned at an estimation of Rs 2.3 crore by the Union Government was yet to be completed.

UNI