Noted environmentalist Medha Patkar on Wednesday opposed construction of big dams in the North East to save the region from complete destruction. Addressing a huge rally in Guwahati, organised under the aegis of the Kisan Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), she said the rivers must be saved at any cost.
She said the government divided people on the lines of caste and religion but now they are taking the name of development.
According to Patkar, "People want development of rivers, power, aquatic life and people of living on river banks and not just of corporate houses and a section of politicians."
The construction of dams involved scams amounting to several thousands of crore and some corporate houses and politicians were allegedly involved in this, she claimed.
She appreciated KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi for organising the rally and giving a voice to the farmers who would be the worst affected if dams are constructed on the Brahmaputra and its tributaries.
Patkar, later, fell ill and was rushed to a hospital, while leading a protest march from the Sonaram Field to the Kamrup (Metro) Deputy Commissioner's office but her condition was stated to be stable.
Meanwhile, tense situation prevailed near the Deputy Commissioner's Office when more than five thousand protestors gathered to submit a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner. The district authorities declared the gathering illegal and asked the crowd to disperse within ten minutes. Akhil Gogoi pointed out that they had applied for necessary permission for holding a dharna at the Dispur Last Gate but was denied following they had sought permission for holding a rally at Sonaram Field and a protest march which was subsequently granted.
PermalinkSubmitted by kkp on Fri, 23/07/2010 - 20:24
@Rongmon Pegu: may be there are less money involves in wind and solar energy than in river and dam to fill the butty of our politicians and corporate houses and dalals.
PermalinkSubmitted by Himadree Buragohian on Fri, 30/07/2010 - 16:37
It is really appreciating for renowned environmentalist Medha Patkar and KMSS leader Akhil Gogoi to come out and protest for the greater welfare of the general masses who are a neglected lot by the Govt as their cries carry no meaning for the politicians and the bureaucrats.Kudos to such leaders pleading for the poor citizens.
PermalinkSubmitted by Molokhu on Sun, 08/08/2010 - 16:11
IN THE NAME OF 'USER RIGHT'
I read the news story “Chinese move on Brahmaputra: Govt action plan on user right”, reported by noted journalist Kalyan Barooah from New Delhi (‘The Assam Tribune’, Page 1; Saturday, July 24, 2010). While being in the Indian Union any small entity, be it a state, a group of people have to be vigilant against powerful forces which influence policy makers and decision takers. Unlike the fringe territories, the central mainland has a huge homogenous population, where from springs a powerful lobby which exhorts power overtly in politics and covertly in economic matters. The scene hasn’t changed much down the centuries.
When Buddhism was gaining popularity in India, the Brahmans came up with an interesting idea to retain power in the socio-economic-political and religious spheres. Gautam Buddha was shown as the ninth avatar of the Hindu mythical god of protection, Vishnu. By inducting such a tricky clause in the Purans and related religious scriptures, the identity of Buddhism as an independent religion was destroyed. Slowly Buddhism lost its grip in ancient India. Persons who constitute different policy making structures like the Committee of Secretaries (CoS) are the neo-Brahmins of modern India.
At a time when anti-dam agitation is taking the form of a mass movement, the CoS has come up with a strategy of major storage project in the three basins (which includes Subansiri, Siang and Lohit) under the disguise of a concept aptly named ‘User Right’. Whether China wants to dam or divert the Brahmaputra is not known. Whether China will or can divert the Brahmaputra is not known. Whether the story of a dam to divert the river by China is a propaganda by a section of Indian media in connivance with the Central and Corporate lobby is not known. But that the Central Governement is hand in gloves with giant corporations to exploit the hydro-power of north-eastern states is an open secret now. These power groups with an eye on profits worth billions and trillions would never sit idle over a so called storage project. Any conscious and thinking person would know what the storehouse would hold for power generators and the massive devastation that a minimal gush of water from such projects can cause downstream.
In the name of major storage project alias ‘User Right’, now India and its corporate masterminds will generate power even more than the stipulated 70,000 MWs to feed its evergrowing greed. In the national forum, mega dams are projected as ‘multi-purpose hydro-projects’. In the international forum, major storage projects will be showcased in the name of ‘User Right’ of India. It’s the formula of “Old wine in New bottle”, to fool north-eastern states and the world.
The Archeological Survey of India is all set to take Oil and Natural Gas Corporation to the court for the cracks at the historic Rongghar. According to information, the legal the ASI will finalise its legal proceedings in a day or two saying it’s nothing but the seismic survey carried out by a company deployed by the oil giant that results in the cracks. In yet another development, the All Assam Tai Ahom Atudents Students Union has called for ONGC bandh on Wednesday demanding an immediate halt of the survey in the area and also for adequate compensation for the loss.
The day two of the Assam Assembly's Budget session began with a rocause as soon as it began. As the House started its proceedings, Palashbari independent legislator Pranab Kalita wanted to know if the Government can stop the liquor shops. In his reply, excise minister Gautom Roy informed the House that the it is impossible for the Government to stop the liquor shops saying the Government earns a good amount of revenue to the tune of R. 300 crore a year with these business. This has created a fresh controversy in the House. Meanwhile, the main Opposition is ready to bring an adjournment motion at any time citing the Government's failure on all fronts.
Two hardcore ULFA cadres were killed during a Police and Army join operation in Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh district early in the morning on Tuesday. According to information, the joint operation was launched at the Telpani Forest area under Lahowal area. Both the ULFAmen namely Parikshit Kalita and Tapan Baruah were ULFA’s 28 battalion. Army and para military troops are cordoning off the entire area. Details are awaited.
The Opposition Asom Gana Parishad is all set to move an adjournment motion as soon as the Assam Assembly session begins it’s second pay proceedings. According to information, the main opposition party has already submitted the notice on Monday to this effect. The regional party leaders here say this morning that AGP will be backed by BJP, AUDF, CPI and CPM. They observed that despite the Government’s talk claim the state’s law and order situation continues to be grim with the murder and murder cases refusing to halt. Further, they maintain that the state’s financial position is worsening day by day and the Government continues to run on loan. But the ruling party...
Activists of various Moran organization under the banner of All Assam Moran Students' Union seen in confrontation during the 4 hour long dharna demanding Scheduled tribe and Autonomy for the Moran Community in front Secretariat at Dipsur Lastgate on the first day of the Assembly Budget Session at Guwahati on 03-03-08. Pix by UB Photos.
The City police have apprehended one suspected NDFB ultra suspected to be involved in the firing incident in Rupnagar area, Guwahati this afternoon. Police have suspected that the militant was in the Rupnagar area beside the ASTC workshop to collect cash. Acting on tip off the police chased them. They started firing the police vehicle forcing the police to retaliate immediately. After the end of the half and hour firing, the two militants have been apprehending. Investigation is in progress.
A firing incident is being reported in the city's Rupnagar area at around 3-15 on Monday afternoon causing panic in the area. Details are awaited. Meanwhile, the Guwahati police have averted a major blast while it recovered a powerful bomb from a city bus at Azara. The one kilogram bomb recovered during a routine check by the police in the Saatmile area Monday morning. According to information, the bomb planted at a plastic pot and somebody sent it to the city. Later the police took the bomb to diffuse it. The entire case in under investigation and the police have yet to ascertain the miscreants involved in it.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will table the 2008-09 Budget of the State on March 10 in the Assam Assembly which began on Monday with the Governor's address. The Government is all set to place several Bills on the floor. These include The Assam Appropriation (No. 1) Bill, 2008; the Assam Appropriation (No. II) Bill, 2008; the Assam Agricultural Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2008; the Assam Tax on Luxuries (Hotels and Lodging Houses) (Amendment) Bill, 2008; the Assam Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2008; the Assam Entry Tax Bill, 2008; the Assam Administrative Tribunal (Amendment) Bill, 2008; the Mising Autonomous Council (Amendment) Bill, 2008; the Rabha-Hasong Autonomous Council (...
From Assam Assembly, Guwahati:The Opposition has come sown heavily on the Assam Government for its failure on all fronts. Reacting to the Assam Governor’s address on the floor of the House on Monday morning, the Opposition leaders have alleged that the Governor’s address failed to bring real picture. They say the vital issue confronting the state have been downplayed in the speech adding that the entire speech is a traditional ineffective one. Notably, the governor had to cut short his address due to the din following the trading of charges and counter charges among the members of both the ruling and Opposition sides.
Assam Governor Lt general (Retd) Ajoy Kumar Singh says the anti insurgency operation in Assan has been by and large successful. Addressing the Assam legislative Assembly on its opening day of the Budget session in the morning, the Governor says his Government has been doing a lot for overall development of the state. He further says the government has been implementing lots of schemes for the welfare of the people. A visibly upset Opposition parties have stood up alleging that the Government has been failing on all fronts. This has created an uproar in the House. This has forced the Governor to cut short his address.
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