The Hindu : National : Hydro-power projects in Sikkim to be reviewed

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Sunday, Oct 07, 2007
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Hydro-power projects in Sikkim to be reviewed

Aarti Dhar

NEW DELHI: The Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), whose agitation demanding a halt to all hydro-power projects in Sikkim completed 100 days, got an assurance from the Planning Commission that some aspects of the proposed projects in the region, particularly in Sikkim, will be reviewed.

An ACT delegation, which met five members of the Commission earlier this week, told The Hindu that the members had assured them that a committee would be set up to look into “some aspects” of the projects.

The ACT has also submitted a petition to the Supreme Court’s Empowered Committee to stay the projects, said Dawa Lepcha, ACT general secretary.

The Lepchas, identified as one of the three ethnic tribal communities of Sikkim, have been protesting against the projects as they pass through their ‘sacred land’ Dzongu. They believe that the rivers and the peaks in Dzongu are their places of origin and final resting, and they will be affected due to the projects.

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