Non-Controversial, Long
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non-controversial, long -term solu Magistrate released him but Shri Sunder tion to the acute power crisis that Lalji has started hunger strike/again after has been the State’s greatest bot reaching Tehri. As I have already said that tleneck in industrial development he has completed 20 days of his hunger for the last two decades.” stride, I do not want to discuss the various aspects of the case, but I would like to draw May I request the Government to imme your attention on some authentic news which diately look into this? The Chief Minister of have been published in the newspapers Kerala came here and made a representa during the last 3-4 days. According to the tion to the Ministry of Petroleum; he was news there are some statements made by pursuing this matter. For the last two dec the Environmental Minister, Kamal Nath that ades, we are waiting for this. his Ministry opposes the dam firmly. His Ministry is not only opposing the environ It will not help the Kerala State but all the mental conditions of the region but is also southern state will be benefited by this grid. opposing the situations which crop up after So, may I request the hon. Minister and the the earthquake. Government to look into this? If it is rejected, it should be reconsidered for industrial de Now a new situation has been created velopment of Kerala. and the money which was to be given by Russia for the dam, has been stopped. I have got one other information through some letters received from there that the contrac RE: TEHRI DAM tors are doing the construction work of the dam with thir own money because the Gov [ Translation] ernment is unable to provide the amount. Plastering work is in progress there. The SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES (Muzaf- whole of the arrangements and the situation farpur): Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to raise such are under the control of the contractors. an issue before you on which I would expect They are carrying out the construction work an assistance also from you. The question of the dam as if they are the owners of the on Tehri Dam has been raised so many land and the country without paying any times in the House and a number of state heed to the administration. Perhaps they are ments have also been made on it by the sure that they will get their payment. I know Government. Mr. Speaker Sir, recently, about that this matter is a bone of contention for the 10 to 12 days back, Sunder Lal Bhuguna, Government but here I have a copy of the who is a leader of this movement has started letter which Bahugunaji has written to the hunger strike. His lunger strike has com Prime Minister and copy has been sent to us. pleted 20 today. Before starting the hunger This letter is of 15th i.e. of three days earlier. strike, he had staged a Dharna some 2 to 4 There is a mention of the meeting held with days back in Tehri. The police not only the Prime Minister. It has also been men arrested him but the people who were sitting tioned in the letter how did the Prime Minister with him were also beaten up by the goondas realised the gravity of the problem sympa and has tried to make them run away from thetically and Shri Sunder Lalji was very there by opposing him in a very rude man much confident that this matter would be ner. After it sunder Lalji was arrested and resolved but there is no progress at all in this sent to Roorkee jail. He started hunger stride regard. in Rookee jail. Later on, the Government decided to release him and the District Mr Speaker, Sir, I am worried about the life of Shri Sunder Lalji. Today he has com words of George Sahib, I want to say this pleted 20 days of his hunger strike. He is a much only that on that on the 28th February, Gandhian fellow. All of you know him very when the activits of the movement were well. He has gone on a severe hunger strike. sleeping and particularly when there was no You know that Sunder Lalji is not only know question of demonstration, raising slogans, in India'alone but in the whole world also. He launching agitation etc., the arrest of the has been awarded with the ‘Right Liveliood’, people while they were sleeping, and not which is known as an alternative of ‘Noble even giving remand for 8 days, are against Prize’, in connection with his work on Chipko the prescribed procedure of the Indian Penal and environment. The life of the same per Code. Under some circumstances, Sunder son is in danger today. One of the depart Lalji Bahuguna was released but the 18 ments of the Govt, comments that the role of persons, arrested alongwith him, are still in Sunder Lalji is right; may be these words are jail and nothing has been done for their not theirs, but they do admit that it is not wise release. to advance the construction work of dam there. The other body of the Government Secondly, the Government should make feels that this work should be done Lai ji is it clear before the House as to what is the sitting here. I know that the Bhartiya Janata present position of this Tehri Project since Partly has shown its resentment over this the aid which was to be received by us from Tehri issue, both in the House as well as Russia is likely to be curtailed due to disinte outside the House. Many of its Members gration of that country and there is every have raised this issue many times in this possibility that this aid will not be received House. Once, half an hour debate was con any more to enable us to complete this ducted here over this issue and the other projects. Wili the Government get that proj questions related to it, the people’s repre ect completed or not under these circum sentatives of that area have made their roles stances? In view of all the geographical clear against this issue. The Members of situations after the earthquake, it is said that Bhartiya Janata Party from that area are also the completion of that project will be against present in the House. In these circumstances, the environment. According to the newspa through you. I request Lai ji. I do not know pers reports, the Environment Ministry states whether it comes under rule or not but I want that it would reconsider the issue of issuing to say one thing that the prevailing terror of a ‘no objection certificate’ to this project police and Magistrate through the contractor because the Technocrats did not comply all in Tehri and Garhwal, shoufd immediately be the directives given by the Government in stopped. No steps is being taken to stop that this regard so it is not known whether they terror of the contractors. The terror should be would reject it or not. Such a situation has stopped in that area because on the 20th, a come up, therefore, the Government should big public meeting is going to be held there. give statement on these issues, as to what will be the treatment oi the Government with Mr. Speaker, Sir, one of my request is those people who were arrested under the that whatever steps is required to be taken leadership of Sunder Lai Bahuguna? Sec by the Government to save the life of Sunder ondly, will that project be completed or not in Lai Bahuguna should be taken immediately. case the aid from Russia is stopped. Thirdly You please direct the Government to take from the technical point of view, the comple that step without further delay. tion of that project is still desirable or not after the earthquake? I submit that the Govern SHRI MOHAN SINGH (Deoria): Mr. ment should give a complete statement Speaker, Sir, I do not want to repeat the before the House on the present situation of doubt and distrost prevailing in the country. I have take up this issue with the State Government and the State Government also [English] says that it appears from the reports of technical experts that there is no danger to SHFJIMATIMALINIBHATTACHARAYA dam even after the earthquake. If this dam is (Jadavines): We also feel that til environ not constructed, the area may suffer. These mental seurity aspect f the Theri Dum shuld are the two aspects of the issue. The Gov be revuwed. ernment of India should decide the aspect which carries more weight and then place the information available with it before the SHRI LAL KRISHNA ADVANI (Gandhi House. With this request, I support George nagar): Mr. Speaker, Sir, on one aspect of Saheb. ( Interruptions) the question raised by my friend George Fernandes just now, I think that the whole House will be unanimous that a person like [English] Shri Sunder Lalji Bahuguna who has done a lot for environment, has done such a pen SHRI SOMNATH CHATTERJEE ance, if it is the 20th day of his hunger strike, (Bobur): We also join the appeal. then it is a matter of great concern. [ Translation] We would make an appeal to all those persons who can influence him. We will SHRI ATAL BIHARI VAJPAYEE make an appeal to him that whatever he has (Lucknow): The hunger-strike should end. said on this problem has attracted the atten (Interruptions) Mr.