Reconsider MoAs with private power developers: HRA

Itanagar, June 04 (UNI) The Human Rights of Arunachal(HRA) is against the signing of Memorandum of Agreements(MoAs) with private power developers for construction of hydropower projects in the state.

The HRA alleged that the power plants were being installed without preparing a Detailed Project Report(DPR), Environment Impact Assessment(EIA) in consultation with the forest department and ensuring rehabilitation of the tribals of the region.

In a statement today the HRA affirmed that it was not against the power projects but opposed the project as the state government had not prepared DPRs for the safety of tribal groups living in the hills.

Condemning the alleged signing of MoAs for implementation of 130 MW Muna Camp power project and 300 MW Namzangchu river project with M/S Patel Construction and M/S Bhilwara Group respectively, without proper public hearing, the HRA said, ''The government should make its policy public and take the people into confidence before signing of MoAs for implementation of such projects in the greater interest of the state and its people.'' The HRA demanded reconsideration of the MoAs signed and fresh tenders for hydro project implementation on Build, Own, Operate and Transfer(BOOT) basis involving 13 projects with a total capacity of over 7,000 MW.

UNI