KSU to hold agitations to protest handing of power projects

Shillong, Jan 3 (UNI) The Khasi Student's Union today decided to take to the streets to put pressure on the Congress-led Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government to scrap the cabinet's decision of handing over six hydro-power projects to private companies.

Announcing the agitation, KSU President Samuel Jyrwa said the students' body would take out a protest march starting from its office to the main secretariat on January 7. The following day it would hold road blockade from 0500 hours to 1700 hours in East, West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi district of the state, he said.

On January 9, KSU have called for a bandh from 0500 hours to 1700 hours in East, West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi district.

The students' body had served ultimatum on December 7 to the government to scrap the deal by December 31. Today after a meeting the KSU announced the series of agitation.

Recently, the state Cabinet approved a Joint Venture with--Jaypee Group, Dharampal Satyapal Group, ETA Star infrastructure Limited, Athena Project Private Limited, Seven Sisters Energy Limited and SEW Energy Limited-- under Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) system for 40 years, to build the six power projects.

The projects are Kynshi Stage-I, Kynshi Stage-II, Umngot, Leshka Stage-II, Umiew and Simsang Basin.

Mr Jyrwa today expressed ''shock at the hasty and controversial decision'' of the government to handover the power projects to private companies.

Not just the KSU, six Cabinet ministers has also opposed the government's decision and signed a letter of protest addressed to the Chief Minister expressing their concern over the Cabinet decision to hand over the power projects to private parties.

Chief Minister D D Lapang had earlier said he would consult his cabinet colleagues before taking a decision on the deal.

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