NAGPUR: When the Centre is contemplating to put Adani power projects on the fast-track, opposition to the power company is growing in the region.
On Sunday, at a meeting held at India Peace Centre, Civil Lines, a pressure group followed a five-member fact-finding committee was formed to oppose Adani Pench Power Limited (APPL) in Chausara village, 160 km from Nagpur in Chhindwara district.
The team consisting of Baba Shelke, Yashwant Telang, AK Ghosh, Sunil Chokhare and Seema Sahu will visit the proposed project site and submit a report on August 7. Based on the report, a signature campaign will be launched in the city against the project and a memorandum will be submitted to Union environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan.
Dr Sunilam, ex-MLA from Multai and founder chief of Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, and Advocate Aradhna Bhargava, chief of the Mahila Sangharsh Samiti, who are spearheading the stir against the power plant, said that the project not only threatens Pench Tiger Reserves and its corridors to Kanha but also will snatch away drinking and irrigation water meant for Nagpur region.
The APPL is constructing 1,320 mw (2x660) power plant in Chausara at an estimated cost of Rs 7,390 crore. The plant will require 33.2 MCM (million cubic metres) per annum and will be sourced from the Pench project through a pipeline at a distance of 4 km from the project site. The major issues raised are impact on forest and river due to the project.
In 1987, the Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board (MPSEB) had acquired farmers' land of five villages - Chausara, Hiverkhedi, Dhanora, Tekathawadi and Dagabani Piparia - to establish a power plant.
Land acquisition was done at the rate of Rs 1,500-10,000 per acre for 750 acre land. The MPSEB was to start the plant in three years but failed to do so even after 23 years.
As government never took possession of the land, farmers continued to till it. However, in 2010, the government sold the land to Adani group for Rs 13.75 lakh per acre without any fresh public hearing or so.
Since then the struggle for control over the land has begun between the farmers and Adani group. Farmers are resisting land acquisition. Final environment clearance has also not been given.
Dr Sunilam said that as per the Land Acquisition Act, if the purpose for which land is acquired is not met, then acquisition becomes null and void. He said that Adani tried to fence the said land but villagers destroyed the fencing and are doing farming.
Bhargava alleged that the power company has encroached upon five acre crematorium land in Tekathawadi and two acre land in Chausara. "It is a big crime, but no action has been taken against the company," she said.
"It is surprising that Adani group has started construction work without getting clearance from the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF). Former environment minister Jairam Ramesh had earlier told us that no clearance has been given and hence construction can't be done," Dr Sunilam said.
A public hearing held on December 6, 2010, faced strong protests from farmers opposed to hand over their lands for the power project. Those opposing the project are being harassed, intimidated, and threatened.
Both Dr Sunilam and Bhargava have been slapped with more that 50 cases by police, aimed at obstructing government work. On May 22, both were attacked while returning to Chhindwara after a meeting with farmers at Bhulamohgaun. Police have failed to act against the culprits.
Dr Sunilam said that although no diversion of forest land is involved, a MoEF panel felt that since saving the tiger is a major concern, one needs to be clear as to what kind of activities should be permitted in areas close to tiger reserves.
"The plant will use imported coal which has high ash and sulphur contents of about 26-29% and 0.3-0.4% respectively and will damage ecology in a big way," said Dr Sunilam.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Oppn-to-Adani-power-plant-in-Chhindwara-grows/articleshow/9262114.cms
