NEW DELHI, Oct 19 � Countering Asom Gana Parishad�s (AGP) allegation over Congress-ruled Assam Government going soft on the mega dam issue, Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi charged that Prafulla Kumar Mahanta�s government had supported construction of dams during its reign.
The Chief Minister reiterated that he supports constitution of an expert committee, comprising, if need be of foreign experts. As reported by this newspaper he conveyed this to the Prime Minister.
On AGP�s allegation, he said AGP has no legs to stand on, as Mahanta government had given it in writing to the Centre supporting construction of mega dams. �My stand is clear and unshakable, it is AGP, which is changing its stand,� he contended.
Dams are needed in order to control floods. But there is an agitation on in Assam that the hydro power projects might lead to floods and siltations, Gogoi said.
�My stand is not against big dams but the problems pointed out by the expert panel should be addressed,� he said.
The expert committee should comprise technical and foreign experts, he said adding he had suggested that to the Prime Minister. Any remedial measure, which is necessary should be addressed, he opined.
When asked whether he planned to meet Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister, Dorjee Khandu, he said there was no such plan, as his stand is known. The Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, meanwhile, called on Environment and Forest Minister, Jairam Ramesh and expressed his opposition to the call for a moratorium on sanction and construction of hydro power projects.
In his meeting with the Prime Minister, Gogoi pushed revival of the plan to constitute the North East Water Resources Authority (NEWRA) that has been in a limbo owing to opposition by Arunachal Pradesh.
Stating that Assam is in need of power, Gogoi pointed out that the State is expecting 120 MW of free power from Subansiri Lower Hydro Electric Power project, which is the centre of the controversy.
�We need 12 per cent of the free power, whereas we have been given only 25 MW now,� he said, adding that he has asked NHPC authorities to talk to the agitators.
The Chief Minister further revealed that former Cabinet Secretary B K Chaturvedi also came and met him in connection with the issue.
Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, a visibly relaxed Chief Minister answered a volley of questions ranging from mega dams to development issues to CBI inquiry to Akhil Gogoi�s allegation to his take on the political scenario. However, he denied having raised the issue of election of new PCC president during his meeting with the Congress president.
About his meeting with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Gogoi said he has asked for sanction of funds for repair of National Highways (NHs) and other roads besides protesting the slow progress of work on the East-West Corridor.
�Kamal Nath�s Ministry has sanctioned us less funds than even last year. Last fiscal, Assam was sanctioned Rs 250 crore but this year only Rs 80 crore was sanctioned. Under the head of periodical renewal, Assam was sanctioned Rs 200 crore, last fiscal. This year only Rs 23 crore has been released, whereas the demand was for Rs 50 crore,� Gogoi complained.
Financial crunch at the Centre was stated to be prime cause for tightening of the purse strings.
It is to plead for release of the Central funds, the Chief Minister is going to meet Finance Minister, Pranab Mukherjee.
As reported, in his meeting with Commerce and Industry Minister, Anand Sharma, Gogoi renewed his plea for revival of the Ashok Paper Mill. The entire revival package estimated at Rs 2,500 crore is hanging fire because Hindustan Paper Corporation is not eligible for Capital Investment Subsidy, under the North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy.
Gogoi said the State Government might write to the Centre to clear HPC as a special case. Central PSUs are not eligible for subsidy under the industrial package, he added.
Gogoi also added that foundation stone of the National Institute of Design proposed at Jorhat is expected be laid early next year.
