Mapithel dam not following NGT order
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, November 06 2015 :
Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO) on Friday claimed that Mapithel Dam case is similar with the Maheswar Dam in Madhya Pradesh.
However, construction works at latter's site had been halted while in the case of Mapithel, the same continues.
In a statement, MDAVO Chairman Dominic Kashung the National Green Tribunal (NGT) Court, Principal Bench, New Delhi on October 28, 2015 has passed an order against the Maheshwar dam in Madhya Pradesh, directing "no to lowering or closure of the gates" causing submergence of the area without the mandatory Rehabilitation & Resettlement (R&R) being completed.
Along with that, closure of the gates may be permitted only after completion of R&R.It may be mentioned that the Maheshwar dam started its construction in 1970s, and is one of the 30 mega dams in Narmada valley.
Its target is to generate 400 MW of power.
The Union Ministry of Environment & Forest (MoEF) granted Environment Clearance for the project in 2001 after about 22 years following the conditional Environment Clearance in 1994 .
The MDAVO has claimed that, the issue of Maheshwar dam and Mapithel matter resemble to a great extend.
The project proponent has been attempting to complete the dam construction while, R&R matter had not been in tune to it, the same is Mapithel case.
In fact, just like violation of agreed terms to fulfill the process of acquisition in within 2 years in case of Maheshwar dam, the 1993 Memo of Agreed Terms and conditions of Mapithel dam which was agreed to pay land compensation in 2 years time was done after the contract was breached.
There is no difference between the Project Affected People (PAP) of the said dam and Mapithel where their entire livelihood depends on river, land and forest.
Dominic Kashung further compared that like "Task Force 1998" for Maheshwar dam while "The Expert Review Committee (ERC)2008" for Mapithel dam.
He lamented that under the Expert Review Committee (ERC) process, the Experts of different line departments submitted their field report and based on their physical inspection, the Committee in its 3rd meeting held on April 5, 2015 at the Office chamber of the Minister, IFC, resolved that uniformity will be maintained for all the affected villagers irrespective of submergence or not on R&R matter.
Those adversely affected villages comprise of above 2000 households.
Manipur states claim of R&R issue status in the past were manipulative one sided conclusions.
The pertinent facts are that, so far Government has paid R&R package to about 700 houses (36 percent has given R&R packaged while 64 percent) were ignored without taking due consideration.