SHILLONG, AUG 16: Villagers from Siangkhnai and Syntung villages under the East Khasi hills district opposed the proposed move of the state government to hand over the implementation of the 240 MW hydro-electric power project at Umngot River
“We expressed strong opposition against the proposed move of the government to hand over the implementation of the project to private company,” Sordars of Siangkhnai and Syntung village Khlan Sing Suting and Atiar Dkhar told reporters at a news conference on Saturday.
According to them, the villagers of the two villages wanted the project to be implemented by none other the state-own Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) which recently faced criticisms from all quarters when the Rs 1300 crore Myntdu Leshka Project failed to address the power crisis faced by the state earlier this year.
However the two Sordars said, “The decision was based on the fact that if the project is being implemented by a company from outside the state, it would pose serious threat to the area in term of influx and other social issues and that is why we want the state own MeECL to implement the project because it has in it people from our own state.”
It is learnt that the main dam of the project would be constructed at Siangkhnai village while the power house will be in Syntung village.
The village authorities have asked the state government to give clarification on the implementation of the project.
“We want the government to fulfill its promises made before the people of the area during a public hearing held way back in 2012 stating that it would clarify on certain matters about the pros and cons of the project but has fail to do so,” the sordars said.
They said the two villages will not accept any compensation till the government gives them what they have demanded during the said public hearing. They further informed that as per the survey conducted, the project is likely to affect the agricultural land and homes of the villagers from many villages including Siangkhnai, Mawjahtap, Umsawai, Jatahnonglyer, Pashang, Mynsang, Mawsier, Ksanrngi, Mawdulop, Mawlang.
As per the final draft report prepared by the Agricultural Finance Corporation Limited, around 228 households including 139 in East Khasi hills district and 89 in Jaintia hills district would be affected by the construction of the dam.- By Our Reporter
