WOKHA, SEPTEMBER 26 (MExN): The Land Owners’ Union, Doyang Hydro Electric Project (DHEP), NEEPCO Ltd on behalf of the 17 Land Affected Villages of DHEP, NEEPCO placed a representation on September 25 citing various concerns and demands from the affected people.
The representation was placed during its consultative meeting at conference hall Doyang with Executive Director (O&M) Hq Shillong.
A press note from the union informed that first on the representation was the issue of employment. It reminded that as per the agreement for the land acquisition signed between the state of Nagaland and the land owners’ union “grade-IV staffs for the project shall be reserved post for the Land owners”.
The LOU therefore questioned why there was no recruitment of Grade-IV staff of the Doyang Hydro Electric Project abandoned for nearly three decades while recruitments for other project of NEEPCO Ltd recruitment is done every year. The union demanded immediate recruitment of the existing vacancies Grade-IV staff of the project as per the agreement.
It further stated that the retired posts/expired on service of Grade-IV staff of the project should also be awarded to the land owners as per the agreement. The LOU meanwhile stated that the creation of new Grade-IV staff posts for the project should be made to the bonafide land owners.
Further, the LOU stated that the only educational institution of the project has suffered in standards due to negligence by the corporation. “The present schooling system under the pathetic building condition and improper infrastructure has multiple difficulties and negative impact of the targeted quality of education of the institution. The only hopes and dream of the 17 land affected people for the children is to impart future quality education in a standard schooling system,” it pointed. The union therefore demanded immediate major renovation of the building, proper infrastructure and up-gradation of the existing standard level to higher secondary from the next academy session.
“Failure is considered as a serious breach of the commitment by the corporation (NEEPCO) to the affected people prior to the signing of the agreement,” it cautioned.
The LOU also pointed out that the roads at the project are in a deplorable state “which shows the corporation risked away the attention of the project and totally ignored the interest and welfare of the affected people.” It demanded immediate widening, strengthening and carpeting of the colony roads of the DHEP, covering less the 12km in length.
The union also demanded immediate major renovation of the 29 year old main office building and the staff quarters.
The inspection bungalow (IB) of the Doyang Hydro Electric Project (DHEP), NEEPCO Ltd also needs special attention by the corporation for the convenience of visitors and visiting corporate staff. Therefore, the union asked major renovation works in the inspection bungalow and the NRC hall, DHEP, Doyang as well.
Further, the LOU asked that the only hospital of the project, a primary health centre, be provided proper machineries and medicine, experienced staffing, requisite materials and proper electricity facilities and infrastructure for the land affected people and the employees of the corporation (DHEP NEEPCO Ltd)Finally, the union asked the corporation to construct standard rostrums and galleries.
The LOU stated that failure to comply with the above mentioned demands in one month would compel the union to start its second phase agitation.
