ES Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Nov 26: Social activist and advocate Tai Shiva has called on hydropower developers in Arunachal Pradesh to fully comply with the provisions outlined in the Hydro Power Policy-2008, particularly the commitment to provide 12% free power to the state.
In a memorandum addressed to various power developers operating in the state, Shiva highlighted that the state government is entitled to a minimum of 12% of the power generated by these developers, as per the policy's clauses.
Speaking to the reporters at the press club on Tuesday, he said the Hydro Power Policy-2008, issued by the Department of Power, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, specifies in Chapter-IX, Clause 9.7 that the state shall receive no less than 12% of the power generated by hydro power developers free of cost. Additionally, Clause 9.14 stipulates that developers must allocate 1% of the power generated to the Local Area Development Fund (LADF) for the benefit of the local communities. The state government is also entitled to provide a matching 1% from its share to support the development needs of the area.
Shiva pointed out that, according to RTI replies from the government, the state has been receiving 12% free power either in energy or monetary value from the developers since 2008. However, despite this provision, there has been no evidence of this free power being supplied to the people of Arunachal Pradesh, nor has the 2% allocation for the Local Area Development Fund been implemented.
In his memorandum, Shiva also criticized a notification issued by the state government in June 2022, which he claims was an attempt to avoid the implementation of the Local Area Development Fund, thereby circumventing the policy's provisions. The notification, vide No. SHPD/E-74/2019, has been termed illegal by Shiva, who is demanding immediate action.
Shiva has urged both the state government and hydro power developers to adhere to the policy and supply the promised free power to the people of Arunachal Pradesh. He has also called for the immediate release and implementation of the 2% Local Area Development Fund, in line with the commitments made in the Hydro Power Policy-2008.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List