People Web International

By PWI Regional Reporter Central India

CHATTISGARH, INDIA - Chattisgarh is tipped to be India’s main power hub, as the state government has signed 40 separate contracts with power companies in the area of coal, thermal and solar areas. The move is going to result in a land grab, displacing private farmers, and more than 40,000 acres of prime double crop agricultural land will be eaten up by power companies.

The coal based power plants will have industrial giants like JSW Energy commissioning a 1320 megawatt project. In the thermal area, there is the Chattisgarh Thermal Power Plant, the NTPC’s Korba Thermal Power Station on the CESB East Bank  and the Hasdeo Bango hydro electric projects. The Hyderabad based Lanco group is also setting up a 1,920 megawatt unit.

The power developers will be permitted to sell sixty five percent of their production outside the state. The Chief Minister defends the “power” grab by stating that these power projects will provide employments to thousands of poor families in the area. “My policy is that its value addition should be within the state to help local people get employment," said the Chief Minister.

-- by PWI Regional Reporter Central India - central.india@peoplewebinternational.com

CHATTISGARH - The woes of the Chattisgarh Government are far from over with the rising of the Maoist militancy in Chattisgarh. With the massacre of 75 policemen in a jungle ambush at Dantewada on April 6th 2010 and followed a series of attacks at Bastar, the incidents have left the State government whimpering. More than 40 policemen have been trapped by the Maoist rebels.

While the state assembly has been endlessly debating on the subject, the Chief Minister feels army reinforcement is not a solution. In fact army reinforcements have been sent to the state, but the opinion is that the government is not doing much to curb the menace. The Chattisgarh Government has admitted failure over the plight of tribals as well, and it is reported that 40000 tribals have been displaced in Naxal affected districts. The Government is trying to look after the relief and rehabilitation work but much needs to be done.

-- by PWI Regional Reporter Central India - central.india@peoplewebinternational.com