Convention demands CBI probe into Loktak scam : 22nd oct12 ~ E-Pao! Headlines

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Convention demands CBI probe into Loktak scam
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 21 2012: Loktak Development Authority's clarification over the controversy surrounding award of contract work to K-Pro Infra Works Private Limited for bio mass clearance from Loktak Lake has soured the civil society leaders prompting them to react with slashing criticism against the State government.

In a state level convention on "Exploitation of Loktak Lake" organized by Loktak Lake Fishermen Union Committee on Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur at Manipur Press club here today, several civil society leaders castigated the 'wrongful' award of the contract work to K-Pro Infra Work Private Limited and the role of Progressive Construction Limited (PCL) and the Government of Manipur in this connection and demanded CBI probe into the controversies.

Participating in the convention, Irengbam Arun, Editor of Imphal Free Press, said that Loktak Lake has become an arena for mismanagement in the name of managing it.

He said that the contract to K-Pro for phumdi (biomass) management is irrational as K-Pro is an extremely new company with no experience, formed only on 22 June 2009 much after the tender notice of Loktak Development Authority on 4 June 2009 .

Terming the allocation of contract on trial basis to Progressive Construction Limited for phumdi clearance at Loktak Wetlands as unprecedented, Arun questioned the interest of the Chief Minister and Govt of Manipur in according an interest free mobilization rate of Rs.224 Crores to K-Pro and its associate PCL, which has been blacklisted by World Bank for its dubious records.

Arun further said that the clarification by LDA to allegations of Tehelka is irresponsible and there is clear conspiracy and manipulation process in the phumdi clearance in Loktak Lake, which is a clear disrespect to Loktak wetlands.

Dr.RK Ranjan, Chairperson of Citizens concern for Dams and Development, noted that wetlands are fast shrinking in Manipur and since the commissioning of Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project in 1984 the natural water management function of Loktak Wetlands has been completely disturbed.

Terming the lack of any MoU between the Government of Manipur and the NHPC as "unfortunate", Dr.Ranjan said that the Manipur Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 enacted by the Govt of Manipur to protect wetlands has only targeted the fishing communities who depend on the wetlands for physical and spiritual survival and has led to extinction of endemic flora and fauna species from the Lake.

Jiten Yumnam, Co-Convenor of Committee on the Protection of Natural Resources in Manipur; Oinam Rajen, Secretary of All Loktak Lake Fishermen Union; KT Rehman, President of All Manipur United Clubs' Organization (AMUCO); Mutum Churamani of HERICOUN; RK Ranendrajit, Chairman of Freedom Research Foundation; Karam Sunil of NIPCO, Joy Chingakham of FRIENDS were also among other who participated and spoke during the convention.

At the end of the convention, various resolutions were adopted.

These include calling upon the Government of India and Government of Manipur to punish all those officials involved in scandalous activities, urging the authority concerned to repeal Loktak Lake Protection Act, 2006 and also to review Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project for its impacts on Loktak wetlands, including proliferation of Phumdis in Loktak Lake and impact on Keibul Lamjao National Park and take appropriate steps to decommission the Ithai Barrage of Loktak Project as per recommendations of World Commission on Dams, 2000 .

The convention also arrived at the decision of forming a "Joint Committee on the Preservation of Loktak Wetlands" with Islam Makakcha, Secretary General of HERICOUN as Convenor and representatives of all the organizations representing the State Level Convention on "Exploitation of Loktak Wetlands" as co-Convenors.

It also demanded the Government to reveal the action taken and present status to the recommendations by Manipur State Human Rights Commission and National Human Rights Commission to investigate the contract awarded to K-Pro for phumdi clearance and also to formulate a comprehensive Wetlands Management Policies in Manipur with community participation as per guidelines of Ramsar Convention for Community participation.

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