Imphal, March 07: Power Minister Gaikhangam today informed the State Assembly that the requisite environmental clearance for the proposed Taipaimukh Dam Project has not yet been taken from the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment.

The Minister disclosed this while responding to a question raised by MLA Samuel Jendai during the Question Hour of the Assembly today.

Replying to the question, Gaikhangam informed the House that a meeting of the Public Investigation Board (PIB) was held on Jan 31 to discuss the project and the meeting resolution forwarded to CCEA for necessary action.

Over and above this, an agreement had already been signed between the Government of Manipur and the North Eastern Electrical Power Co-operation (NEEPCO) for taking up the project under Central sector.

However, the environmental clearance from the Union Ministry has not been taken, he said.

When MLA Samuel Jendai demanded to know the veracity of the remarks made by Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Santosh Mohan Dev that Rs 6 crores had ben sanctioned to PIB for taking up the project, the Power Minister replied he has no knowledge about it.

At this point, MLA BD Behring strongly reacted asserting that the statement had been made by the Union Minister in front of the mediapersons and handed over a copy of Sentinel which carried the news report on its October 6, 2005 edition to the Speaker for tabling in the House.

Joining the tirade against the Power Minister, MPP MLA O Joy also questioned how could NEEPCO issue tender notice of a project for which Environmental clearance has not yet been received from the Ministry concerned.

Cornered from all sides, a hapless Power Minister mustered up his courage only to give the assurance that the Govt would not do anything which is against the interest of the people.

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