Union minister of state for environment Jairam Ramesh who on Friday assured to apprise Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the concern of the people of Assam on construction of big dams in frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh, had to face stiff protest of anti-dam lobby and students organisations in Assam.
Mr Ramesh was here for a consultation and taking public hearing from civil society and environmental groups, opposing the construction of big dams in upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh.
At the end of day long consultation meet Mr Ramesh, who was also compelled to engage himself into argument with anti-dam and NGO activists on many occasions, announced, “I would let the Prime Minister know about the apprehensions of the people of Assam regarding building of dams in Arunachal Pradesh. This is not just the issue for Assam, this has been an issue for the entire nation.”
The noted RTI activist and leader of farmers Akhil Gogoi, who also had heated argument with ministers pleaded saying that “New Delhi should immediately scrap permission for construction of dams across Arunachal Pradesh which may prove disastrous for farmers and resident of plain areas.”
The Aasu adviser Samujjal Bhattacharyya warned, “Big dams would lead to catastrophic environmental hazards in downstream areas in Assam. We shall launch a mass movement if the projects are allowed to continue.”
In yet another incident Dr Hiren Gohain walked out of the meeting after Mr Ramesh advised him to cut short his speech.
The frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh which is adamant on continue the construction of dams has signed agreement for more than 150 hydel-power projects, which includes 10 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) for mega power projects to generate an estimated 30,000 MW power in 10 years time.