ITANAGAR, Jan 8: Arunachal Pradesh needs to welcome potential private power developers to harness its vast hydropower potential as it will help to enhance the state’s economy and generate employment opportunities for local youths, but there is no question of curtailing people’s rights.

This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein today while chairing over two vital meetings separately, one relating to the construction of 23 MW Keyi Hydro-Electric Project at Keyi river under Pistana Circle of Lower Subansiri district and the other concerning the construction of 14.5 MW Pareng Hydro-Electric Project under Sagalee Sub-Division in Papum Pare district. “These hydropower projects once developed will make our state self-sufficient in power as the power developers will share a free power quota of 5-10 % with the state government and 1% for local area development and more power will create further avenues for establishment of industries and food processing units for local entrepreneurs,” Mein said while speaking to the stakeholders present in the meetings.

Assuring to look into the grievances of the project-affected people of the two projects, the DCM however rued there is shortage of power in the state despite having so much potential. While asserting that Arunachal’s Hydropower Development Policy is one of the best in the country as it has incorporated the best inputs from other states, he assured there is no scope of denial of people’s rights. He also asked the private power developers to maintain transparency while implementing the projects and win the confidence of local people for their smooth implementation.

Meanwhile, two committees were formed to look into the grievances of the project-affected people and resolve the issues, one under chairmanship of Education Minister-cum-MLA Yachuli, Taba Tedir for 23 MW Keyi HEP and the other under chairmanship of former Chief Minister-cum-MLA Sagalee, Nabam Tuki for 14.5 MW Pareng HEP.

Education Minister Taba Tedir, Agriculture Minister Tage Taki, Adviser to Power Minister Balo Raja, former CM Nabam Tuki, Commissioner (Power) Prashant Lokhande, DC Ziro Swetika Sachan, DC Papum Pare Pige Ligu, Deputy Director (Land Management) Techi Hitlar and the project-affected people were present in both the meetings.