1. CAP Sikkim mobilizes a protest rally from Gangtok to the District Administration Centre.
2. Grievance centers on the state government’s sale of the Teesta Urja stake to Greenco.
3. Discontent voiced over the decision to transfer ownership to a private entity.
Gangtok, Feb 15: Citizens Action Party (CAP) Sikkim has taken to the streets, voicing their discontent through a protest rally that spanned from Gangtok’s Amdo Golai to the District Administration Centre.
At the heart of their grievance is the recent decision by the state government to offload its stake in Teesta Urja Private Limited to Greenco, a private entity.
With the sale, the state’s ownership interest in the hydroelectricity plant, which previously stood at 60.4 per cent, has now transitioned into private hands.
Central to CAP Sikkim’s protest is the assertion that the decision to sell off the stake was made without due consideration for public opinion or consultation.
“The SKM government has failed to engage the public or seek their confidence before making significant decisions,” lamented Albert Gurung, a spokesperson for CAP.
Gurung highlighted the failure of the government to consult with the citizens of Sikkim before finalizing the sale, emphasizing the importance of transparency and democratic process in such matters.
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Moreover, Gurung pointed to the tragic incident of October 3, where a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) resulted in the loss of lives and extensive damage to property valued at over 100 Crores Rupees.
He underscored the culpability of the government, accusing it of neglecting infrastructure standards and failing to adequately investigate the substandard construction of the Teesta Stage 3 dam in Chungthang, which was severely impacted by the GLOF.
Despite promises from the Chief Minister regarding investigations into the dam’s construction, Gurung alleged that no tangible steps had been taken, neither by the Central Bureau of Investigation nor by the State vigilance.
In the absence of any meaningful investigation, Gurung accused the government of surreptitiously offloading the state’s stake to Greenco, a company based in Mauritius, without proper accountability or consideration for the repercussions.
CAP Sikkim further argued that the capacity of the Teesta River to accommodate additional dams had already been stretched to its limit.
They warned against further exploitation of the river, highlighting the adverse effects it would have on communities residing in areas like Dzongu, Chungthang, Lachen, and Lachung, as well as the thousands of individuals whose lives had already been disrupted by the GLOF.
In essence, CAP Sikkim’s protest serves as a clarion call for greater accountability, transparency, and public participation in decision-making processes concerning critical infrastructure projects and natural resources.
It underscores the need for policymakers to prioritize the welfare and concerns of the citizens they represent, particularly in matters as consequential as the management of vital resources like the Teesta River.
