Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, May 04:
The Citizen Concern for Dam and Development (CCDD) strongly condemned the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) of Manipur Government along with two other construction companies for their continued construction of Mapithel dam.
The CCDD observed that despite vehement opposition and call of the affected villagers for a complete review of the construction of Mapithel dam the State Government along with Ansal Properties and Industries Limited and Progressive Construction Limi ted has been intensifying its construction of Mapithel dam even night time.
This came to light when the CCDD in an inspection visited the Mapithel dam site in the last week of April, inspite of massive and strong protest by the affected villagers at the dam site on April 12, it said.
The CCDD maintained that the State Government by continuing construction of Mapithel dam shows disregard in complete negation of the survival and livelihood issues of the people.
It then asserted that the call of the affected people for review of the dam construction in compliance with environmental, social, cultural, human rights, ecological, rehabilitation, resettlement and other internationally accepted norms indicated a blatant disregard to the affected villagers.
" This callous attitude also is an infringement into the dignity and human rights of the affected villagers particularly 'right to life", said the CCDD .
The statement signed by CCDD member Anand Sagolsem pointed out that the demands of the Mapithel dam affected people in the upstream and downstream is legitimate, saying such demand is called for when the construction work of the dam has not been completed even after 20 years.
Recalling the construction work of Mapithel dam, it cited that the dam construction has began since 80s and the cost has escalated from Rs.47.25 crores to 536 crores at the inflation rate of 2005.
It further rued that the land survey has not been completed and environment clearance has not been obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Forest despite clear direction from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to this effect.
" In 20 years, we find that several development activities have taken place amid ever increasing land prices which required new assessment for compensation.
It is paradoxical to increase the cost of the dam construction while the compensation amount remains unchanged since 80s", concluded the CCDD statement.