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Assam govt. forms GoM on big dams after protests
Guwahati, December 3, 2011
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The Assam Government today decided to form a Group of Ministers (GoM) to study the big dams issue even as anti-big dam protesters, led by 26 organisations, held a public rally at Lakhimpur in northern Assam.
The decision to form the GoM on the issue was taken at a state Cabinet meeting held at Dispur today.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has been authorised to form the GoM, which will look into all issues relating to big dams and also talk to dam activists, if necessary.
The state Power Minister, Pradyut Bordoloi, in a separate press conference, said the government was open to talks with any person or group that had any reservation on big dams.
Meanwhile, 26 organisations that are protesting the Lower Subansiri Hydel Electric Project, being implemented by the NHPC at Gerukamukh in Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border, held a protest rally at Lakhimpur town today.
Leaders and members of the groups, including the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti and All Assam Students Union, participated in the rally.
Thousands of protesters had even forced the administration to halt at Lakhimpur town a truck carrying a turbine for the NHPC dam on the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh since December 1.
The protesters were adamant about not allowing the truck to move ahead while the government was also firm on ensuring that it reached Gerukamukh, which is about three hours from Lakhimpur town.
Various organisations had been protesting the big dams being planned and executed in the upper reaches of Arunachal Pradesh, pointing to the devastating impacts these dams are likely to cause in downstream areas, particularly in northern Assam.
NNN
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