Scrap or substantially enhance compensation, says Khangura
Monday, 29/08/2011
http://112.196.11.34/dailypost/Details.aspx?id=2049&boxid=57704&uid=&dat=2011-08-29
Advising the promoters of controversial Gobindpura power project in Mansa to either “scrap” the project or “substantially” enhance the compensation to affected farmers, Congress MLA from Qila Raipur, Jassi Khangura, shot off a letter to the company Managing Director on Friday.
In his letter sent to Rajiv Rattan, Managing Director, Peona Power Development Project Limited, Khangura said that in view of the sentiments of agitating farmers in Mansa, the company must avail one of the two options or relocate the project to an area where all farmers voluntarily agree to give the land.
“I note with concern that your company is acquiring land in Mansa district although none of the substantive regulatory clearances have yet been obtained. Also, the sole basis for the current land acquisition by the Punjab government is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU),” the Congress MLA wrote to the company.
Khangura said that when company was yet to negotiate and execute a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the state government, the entire acquisition process was questionable because in the absence of a PPA there can be no public interest, especially for a project that was not submitted to open competitive tender.
“Without a PPA, neither financial closure nor meaningful execution can take place. I am sure that you would agree with me that the only execution till date is the boundary wall. Further, as everyone knows, there is no environmental clearance and no coal linkages done for the project so far,” Khnagura wrote in his letter, reminding MD Rattan that such actions were bound to be “reviewed” with change of government in the state.
“Your company should be aware that the decisions and actions of a government about to demit office are those that are routinely the first to be reviewed upon change of government. Rest assured that the political will that you may enjoy today will not last for long,” said Khangura.
