Uttarakhand CM writes to PM over hydroelectric projects issue

CM Harish Rawat has recently slammed the Centre for its stand on hydroelectric projects

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue of hydroelectric projects (HEPs), Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat has urged him to instruct the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) to take cognisance of the state's concerns and various scientific reports in the matter before the Supreme Court. He also said the state was being subjected to "unfair and unjust" treatment.

Expert bodies, such as Central Water Commission (CWC), the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) and Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, have given positive report on the HEPs in the past.

Since the Supreme Court's concern was limited to 24 projects in Alaknanda and Bhagirarthi valleys, Rawat said other projects should be kept aside. "Presently, there is a blanket ban on all projects in Uttarakhand," Rawat said.

Rawat has recently slammed the Centre for its stand that HEPs had caused the 2013 calamitous floods in the state, saying his government would move shortly the Supreme Court in support of the HEPs. In this regard, Rawat in the letter pointed out before coming to any conclusion, due weightage should be given to the various reports of the experts.

He also demanded compensation in lieu of the huge financial losses due to the ban on the hydel projects.

The chief minister said Uttarakhand should be allowed to develop all those hydel projects where valid clearance had already been made. He said clearances should be given to new hydel projects as per existing guidelines of the Government of India (GoI) which are also applicable to other states. "The developments in the past 16 months indicate as if Uttarakhand is dealt with separate provisions, singled out and meted out a step-motherly treatment," the chief minister said.

Rawat made it clear his government would shortly move the Supreme Court in support of the hydropower projects. His comments came after the Centre's stand had put the future of 24 hydel projects with a capacity of 2,900 Megawatt in jeopardy. The Centre expressed reservation in allowing the projects despite getting forest and environment clearance which was given before the disaster last year, saying their designs were not acceptable.