GUWAHATI, Feb 18 � The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) on Friday extended support to the Government of Assam�s demand for constituting a North East Water Resource Authority (NEWRA) and insisted on effecting an amendment in the National Hydro Power Policy 2008.
In a statement issued to the press, the KMSS said that unless it was ensured that Assam enjoyed equal benefits of inter-State river waters, all construction of dams over inter-State rivers should be opposed.
It needs to be mentioned here that the Assam Government has been advocating for setting up of NEWRA, which will look after all the issues concerning the proposed hydel projects in the region.
�If necessary, the Government of Assam should take the initiative to form a tribunal under the Inter State Water Dispute Act 1956 to stop construction of dams,� said the KMSS.
The KMSS also demanded that a cumulative impact assessment of all proposed dams in Arunachal Pradesh be carried out. The KMSS also called for a specific study of geological and seismic vulnerability aspects of the region. �Work on all ongoing and proposed big dams in Arunachal Pradesh should be kept in abeyance pending a thorough study of every possible adverse impact, including downstream concerns,� said the KMSS.
