GANGTOK, : The Citizen Action Party (CAP) Sikkim has strongly criticized the
Ministry of Environment-appointed panel’s clearance for rebuilding a new dam
for the 1,200 Mw Teesta-III hydel power project at Chungthang in North Sikkim.
In
October 3-4, 2023, a GLOF-triggered flash flood washed away the Teesta-III dam,
besides causing widespread devastation downstream. Recently, the Environment
ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) granted clearance for
reconstructing a new Teesta-III dam.
Strongly
opposing the approval, CAP Sikkim spokesperson Mahesh Rai demanded a public
hearing with the local residents, experts and stakeholders regarding the
proposed dam. He was speaking at a press meet here on Wednesday.
“Stakeholders
should be taken in confidence when such projects are involved, but this time
there is no feasible report. The public is not being taken into consideration.
The Centre and the State government both know that Sikkim is a fragile State
with young fold mountains so it is not stable,” said the CAP Sikkim
spokesperson.
“The
Sikkim Krantikari Morcha government has so far issued no statement or dialogue
regarding this, and so we are in shock. The Environment Ministry may not know
the hardships of the Sikkimese during the GLOF, but the State government has
seen it first-hand. The residents of Chungthang had voted for Chief Minister PS
Golay, with the hope for the development of Sikkim. There has been no rehabilitation
of those affected by the GLOF and still no one is raising an issue,” said Rai.
The
CAP Sikkim spokesperson, at the press meet, informed that during the GLOF, 1423
houses were completely damaged, 579 houses were partially damaged, 102 lost
their lives, several people are still declared missing.
“Assessment
and research is a must. We condemn this decision by the Environment ministry
and CAP has filed RTIs based on it. We will take the issue seriously. It is a
‘disinvestment’ as the process of the project was illegal”, said the CAP Sikkim
spokesperson.
CAP
spokesperson Prakash Parajuli stated that the GLOF has ruined several lives and
those affected are still recovering from the aftermath of the flood. It is
inhumane to construct the dam, as it may affect more life in future, he said.
The
CAP Sikkim spokespersons stated that in terms of financial aspect, it is
Sikkim’s loss.
“The
previous dam was insured, and the State government could claim the insurance.
The janta doesn’t know if the State government claimed the insurance. If the
State government claimed the insurance, then the people did not get anything.
No rehabilitation, no ex-gratia. Follow due process of the project, give
rehabilitation, GLOF compensation, and then construct the dam. Make it safer
and smaller. We oppose the construction of bigger dams,” said CAP Sikkim.
