Don’t abandon CSR, assurances, CM tells power developers

ITANAGAR, Dec 28: Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today sent a clear message to all power developers working in the state to remain committed to their corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives and assurances given to the State govt and the people, particularly those affected by the projects.
Tuki, who had a breakfast meet with NEEPCO Chief Managing Director (CMD) P C Pankaj at his official residence here this morning, took up the issue of commitments made by the public sector power developer of the region but are still unfulfilled or partially fulfilled.
The Chief Minister was very specific about the terms and conditions of the MoU with NEEPCO in regard of assured employment to locals in the projects. It was informed by the NEEPCO official that hundred percent of the group C and D posts against each project was reserved for local affected people.
Tuki, however, expressed doubt if the condition was being fulfilled in toto by the Corporation and called for urgent recruitment of locals at least in the reserved categories as mentioned in the MoU.
“We have been cooperating with the NEEPCO since it began its first project on the Ranganadi at Yazali. As leaders we have given commitments to the people based on assurances from NEEPCO authorities. If these are not fulfilled, we will have to face the ire of the people,” Tuki cautioned.
The Chief Minister also emphasized on the role of power developers in welfare activities in project-affected areas. These, he said, will create goodwill for the project amongst the people and would have long term effects benefiting both the project proponent and the affected people.
In this regard, he suggested opening up of institutions like colleges, hospitals and other welfare measures. Further, he suggested that security personnel for the projects may be absorbed from local Home Guards instead of bringing them from Meghalaya as is practiced at the moment.
Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Nabam Rebia, under whose Assembly constituency the Pare Hydro Electric Project (PHEP) falls, also endorsed the Chief Minister’s suggestions under the CSR of the power developer. He even suggested NEEPCO to adopt Doimukh CHC, which also caters to the employees of NEEPCO.
Rebia also took up the burning issue of downstream impact of the 405 MW Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project of NEEPCO particularly on Hawa Camp and Lichi villages. Besides citing the heavy siltation along the banks of Ranganadi that has taken a toll over agricultural lands of the people of the said villages, Rebia also expressed concern over the release of water from the storage dam at Yazali without warning by the NEEPCO authorities.
The NEEPCO CMD assured the Chief Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary that he would look into the issues in detail as he had taken over the charge very recently. Seeking 10 to 15 days to respond to the suggestions and issues raised, he promised to fulfill the commitments made by his predecessors including shifting of NEEPCO executive office to Itanagar, adoption of ITI Yupia and recruitment of locals in all the three projects.
Also present in the meeting were NEEPCO Executive Director (Projects) D K Nath, Head of Projects of PHEP and RHEP S Baruah and D Bhattacharjee respectively, Papum Pare Zilla Chairperson Nabam Aka and others. (PRO)