Shimla: A growing confrontation between hydro power developers and the local people in the state led chief secretary Sudripta Roy point out that projects should not be developed at the cost of destroying ecology and harming interest of the people.
Speaking at a symposium on ‘Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) & Sustainable Development in Hyrdo Sector’, organised by public sector power generating company SJVN, Roy emphasised the need to take the local people into confidence before developing any project.
Pointing out the need for carrying out environment impact studies before developing new projects, the top government functionary said that mere corporate greed should not drive businesses but involving the people in a socially responsible manner made up for better business practices.
Earlier, hydro expert Prem Vrat, the main speaker at the symposium said that not just providing enough funds for CSR activites but the quality of concern for community development played an important role in establishing a sustainable model.
Corporates, he said, needed to create long tern impact on the society by adopting measures for empowering the people for charity will only have a short term impact.
Corporate should eye at developing capabilities of the communities, and the societies, which will ultimately have supporting values of business development.
Vrat said that with 75 % of hydropower potential still untapped, it should be the country most sought after energy option as it is pollution free.
Giving details about the high benchmarks achieved in power generation by the public sector company, NL Sharma, director SJVN said that success of a healthy relationship with local community rested upon best practices adopted in CSR activities. “During 2010-11, an Rs 15 Cr amount was spent upon this vital sector,” he said.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
Spending 15cr is unworthy,if the aspirations of sufferers are not met promptly. Why, the effected people are opposing move, has it first addressed? Not in the first instant. Only ,if agitated.
Ecology: we are shifting the water flow line and effecting every body especially downstream. In real terms ,we have failed. My frustaration on the whole issues goes from the time of Bhakra dam-BSL projects. Still, there are numorous issues not addressed properly uptill now by respective Govts.. We should at least learn from MOU signed by Raja Mandi and British Punjab Govt.. But again, we are not honouring that by not transferring to state of HP.Failures to take people in confidance are much more and as such opposition is going to rise with more awareness.