Raju Bista hits the nail on the head on hydro power revenue

Editorial, EOI, 22 June 2024, Darjeeling : M. P. Raju Bista has hit the nail on the head that the West Bengal Government gets revenue from NHPC dams on river Teesta with zero investment but the local people in the hill regions of Kalimpong and Darjeeling in West Bengal do not get any benefit of this revenue. He has also asserted that funds allocated for Teesta flood victims by the Centre and even by the West Bengal Government remain unutilized.

“The two NHPC dams TLDP III and TLDP IV generate over Rs 750 crore in revenue annually for the West Bengal Government which buys electricity at the rate of Rs 4.35 per unit, yet it sells the same electricity to the people living in Darjeeling and Kalimpong for around Rs 8 per unit. With zero investment of their own, the West Bengal State is the sole beneficiary of these dams. Yet, these funds have never been used by the West Bengal Government to ensure the welfare of the local communities. 

Even during the time of crisis the West Bengal Government refused to declare the Teesta tragedy as a disaster, further depriving our people of support, ”he has pointed out. 

This situation is different from that of Sikkim where funds generated for the Sikkim Government from NHPC hydro projects on river Teesta are used for the welfare of the people of Sikkim. 

The situation is different in West Bengal where the revenue is wheeled away to Kolkata. Raju Bista has said in course of his visits to flood-hit areas of Teesta Bazar people had voiced their concern over the need for accountability regarding the allocation and utilization of funds, meant for the rehabilitation of the people along Teesta. 

He has drawn the attention of Gorkhaland Territorial Administration Chairman Anit Thapa to this aspect. 

Despite Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's announcement of allocation of Rs 25 crore to GTA ,there were concerns over the whereabouts of these funds, Bista had been informed during his visit; with delays in promised rehabilitation and housing initiatives. Raju Bista has pointed out: “GTA had announced the allocation of land for rehabilitation.

No allocation has been made till date. GTA had announced construction of new houses. Only three are being constructed, but even those are sub-standard. 

There is no sign of any reconstruction along Teesta promised by the GTA. NHPC had allocated Rs 2.78crore to GTA for the construction of protection dykes in Teesta Bazar, we couldn't locate any such protection dykes, that fund too has gone missing it seems,” he said. Central agencies working in different projects in the hills have tried to extend some help to the flood-hit people. 

“In the past week, I have reached out to Central agencies operating in the region. NHPC, IRCON have extended support to local communities in various forms. The Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways has allocated Rs 500crores as emergency grants to address the needs ofNH-10, they are allocating further Rs 2000 crores for the development and expansion of NH-10. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced further construction of 30 million new houses under PMAY.I will do my best to include the names of Teesta Flood victims so that they can become eligible to receive houses under the PMAY scheme in the coming days, ”he has said. 

“But the State Government has not shown much interest in the welfare of the people of the hills. “However, amidst all this, what is missing is any action by the State Government and the District Administration to help and assist the flood victims, ”he has said.