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| NHPC, Forest department nexus in misappropriation of Crores | | Large scale irregularities in CAT scheme | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 24: The implementation of the catchment area treatment (CAT) plan in Jammu and Kashmir has come under public scanner as the physical achievement of the multi-crore scheme is totally missing on ground and there are apprehensions of huge scams in the implementation of this much hyped scheme.
Large scale embezzlement and misappropriation of funds released under centrally sponsored CAT scheme is likely to surface within next few weeks as an application under Right to Information Act (RTI) 2005 was filed today in the office of Executive Director National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) at Narwal Jammu, asking the corporation to provide detailed information about the physical and financial achievement under the scheme. It merits a mention here that CAT is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed to protect environment in and around all mega hydroelectric power projects and restore the damages caused during the execution and management of the projects. The CAT scheme in Jammu and Kashmir is mostly executed by NHPC and the forest department of Jammu and Kashmir state though certain share is also granted to other departments. Figures available with this correspondent suggest that about 15 crores were earmarked for environmental protection and restoration of damages for the catchment area falling under Ranjit Sagar Dam alone, however, no physical achievement is visible on ground.Journalist and RTI activist Bashir Assad who has sought information about the implementation of Scheme said that there are definitely large scale bungling and the funds released under CAT might have been misappropriated by NHPC in nexus with the state forest department. "I am going to file a similar application before the forest department soon to know the fate of the scheme approned by the ministry of environment government of India having far reaching ramifications as for the protection and preservation of environment is concerned" said Bashir Assad.
"It is not only the Ranjit Sagar Dam where funds under CAT have been misappropriated, the situation in other projects is no different" Assad said adding that the Hydroelectric Power Projects owned by the state too face the same problem which is dangerous for overall environmental scenario in the state. Baghlihar Project, Assad said, has caused severe environmental hazards where CAT is completely missing. 'There is an unholy nexus between the forest departments and the executing agencies of power projects and public money is being looted like anything' added Assad maintaining that he was concerned not only about the funds but preservation and protection of ecology was equally important. Assad that his group's activities involved environmental impact of various developmental projects and contemplates to asses the environmental impact assessment study of diverse projects in collaboration with Geography and Geology departments of Jammu and Kashmir Universities. We will diversify our range of activities for Risk Assessment, Site Liability, Preparation of onsite & offsite Disaster Management Plan and Dam B r e a k A n a l y s i s a n d h a z a r d s c e n a r i o s.
Maintaining that the unholy nexus of NHPC and forest department official will be exposed soon, Assad said that owing to the official apathy and moral numbness of political and permanent bureaucracy, civil society of Jammu and Kashmir has to come out of the deep slumber to bring the system back on track. |
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