The Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP Government at the Centre on Thursday came under attack by the Assam's regional political party Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) for its stand on the 2000 MW lower Subansiri Hydro Electric Power Project.
According to the Arunachal Pradesh Government, Union Minister of State for Coal, Power and Renewable Energy (Independent Charge) Piyush Goyal during a recent meeting with State Chief Minister Nabam Tuki said that the Ministry had resolved the impasse related to the mega power project at Gerukamukh and that the remaining works of the project would resume shortly.
“The Centre’s decision to start the stalled lower Subansiri project is a betrayal for the people of Assam. The BJP before and even during the lok Sabha polls had assured to oppose the large river dams. The party had also assured in its manifesto to oppose the large river dams.However, after forming the Government, the BJP has now taken the side of capitalist groups and wants to start the hydro project, which had been opposed by people of Assam,” said AGP working president Atul Bora.
“The people of Assam and various organisations and pressure groups had opposed the construction of lower Subansiri Hydro Power Project due to various flaws in the design and construction. Hundreds of youth of the State had to bear the torture by the police and paramilitary forces while opposing the project,” he said adding that the Centre’s assurance to the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister has exposed the true character of the saffron party towards the people of Assam.
“The BJP during the campaign had assured to oppose the large dams like the lower Subansiri project just to get political mileage during the lok Sabha polls. However now that the elections are over, the party is showing its real attitude towards the people of Assam,” Bora alleged.
“The Central Government had earlier decided to hike the railway fair, the process of cooking gas and essential items like petrol and diesel. The people of the country expected a respite from price rise when the BJP formed the government. However, the party had failed to fulfill the aspirations of the people,” he said. Bora further added that the AGP will continue to oppose such anti-people projects and policies of the Central Government and said that it would take up State wide mass movement to protest the project.