MDAVO condemns announcement to inaugurate Mapithel dam
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 22 2016 : Mapithel Dam Affected Villages Organisation (MDAVO) has condemned the statement of the Chief Engineer, IFCD, GOM regarding the inauguration of Mapithel dam project.

The organisation allegedly claimed that the announce- ment is nothing but a step to fool the public.

What is the use of inaugu- rating/commissioning the project while hydro-electric generation turbine has not been installed, no irrigation channels are ready and no water supply pipelines are ready, MDAVO questioned.

Mapithel Dam project has reminded the people of the failed projects like Khoupum and Khuga dam projects.

MDAVO is strongly against the announcement be- cause even land acquisition for the project is not yet com- pleted, forest and environment laws are not maintained, no holistic impact assessment covering alternative liveli- hood means, socio-cultural, economic and health impacts on the upstream people and life security of the down- stream villagers have not been carried out.

Plan to inaugurate the project without even finalis- ing the Resettlement and Rehabilitation(R&R) program for the affected people is to- tally against the rules.

R&R program which is yet to be implemented has been a big controversy till date.

It involves high level of corrup- tion, population manipulation and creation of number of bogus households in the ben- eficiary list, MDAVO alleged.

Money entitled for the fic- titious households are swindled by some individuals while thousands of genuine affected people who surren- dered their source of livelihood are being left in a suicidal condition.

MDAVO has also strongly opposed the inten- tion and attitude of the project proponent.

Success or failure of the project have been sidelined and emphasis is given only to inaugurate the project at a wrong time.

What about the Rs 1387 crore invested for the project and thousands of victimized people, MDAVO further questioned.

Policy of the State Gov- ernment is not for the good cause of the public but for few Ministers and bureau- crats, MDAVO said.

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