State and GTA to get 12% of power generated from Teesta HPP | CPRM demands proper compensation to affected families

 State and GTA to get 12% of power generated from Teesta HPP

The state and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will be getting 12% from the power generated from the River Teesta under the National Hydro Power Project (HPP), claimed the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) Spokesperson cum Kalimpong MLA, Dr Harka Bahadur Chettri.However, the locals are concerned about threat to the existence of the Highway attached areas due to the Teesta HPP. In one hand it is believed that the whole country will benefit from the HPP while in the other it will prove to be a loss for the locals in many ways.Nevertheless, the Communist Party of Revolutionary Marxist (CPRM) has already cautioned of an agitation against the loss. The Kalimpong Krishak Kalyan Sangathan (KKKS) has also demanded that 12% of the power produced should be given to the GTA areas instead of the state.“The 12% electricity will be equally distributed between the GTA areas and the state”, clarified Dr Chettri in behalf of the Morcha who have kept mum over the matter.As per the rules of the World Dam Organization the 12% electricity is for the state government. However, GTA being a total different administrative arrangement, it should also get the benefits, he said and added that if the GTA gets even 6% of the energy that it will be a great achievement.“If we receive atleast 6% then we can add on to it and after its free use”, he said.When asked about the inconvenience caused to the Highway residents because of the HPP, Dr Chettri said that they are working towards solving the matter.“I along with the Kalimpong Sub Divisional Officer have talked with the NHPC regarding the matter. The NHPC has assured to set up a hospital, school and other facilities”, notified the GJM Spokesperson.

CPRM demands proper compensation to Teesta HPP affected families

The CPRM Block I, Zonal Committee has demanded proper compensation for the families affected by the NHPC project which is under construction at 27th Mile area, NH31A. The party demanding administrative interference over the matter submitted a memorandum to the Kalimpong Sub Divisional Officer, LN Sherpa. The party claims that 500 families residing alongside the river Teesta have been affected by the implementation of the NHPC project.  They have further claimed that the hydro power project at river Teesta has stopped the smooth flow of the water further affecting the river beds at the 29th Mile, Gail Khola, Ravi Jhora, Teesta Pool-Suntaley and Pesok Jhora. It has also affected the river rafting in a negative way.
“Looking at the condition of the affected families, the NHPC should provide employment to them along with the compensation”, insisted CPRM Kalimpong Regional Committee President Kishore Pradhan.
He also complained that though the NHPC had promised to build a safety wall from the project site to Teesta Bazaar, the construction work still remains incomplete at various places. The half-constructed safety wall is deteriorating day-by-day, he charged. The SDM has assured the CPRM to discuss the matter with the higher officials of the NHPC.

By Mukesh Sharma