Haridwar: The All India Akhara Parishad, an
apex body of sadhus and seers, on Sunday remained defiant over its
demand for a ban on all the hydel projects on Bhagirathi river
in Uttarakashi district, despite the Centre and the
Uttarakhand government efforts to hold talks with it.
Earlier in the day, both Uttarakhand government and the
Centre held talks with the Parishad to suspend its proposed
agitation but the talks failed to find any solution, officials
said here.
Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Subodh Kant
Sahay, who was here, appealed to the Parishad to safeguard the
interests of the country before taking any step.
The Parishad said it will hold a dharna from tomorrow at
Har-Ki-Pauri to press for their demand for closure of all the
major projects.
These projects include NTPC's 600 Mw Lohari Nagpala, 480
Mw Pala Maneri, 381 Mw Bhaironghati, 304 Mw Maneri Bhali-II
and 90 Mw Maneri Bhali-I and others belonging to the state-run
Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL).
The demand for the closure of all the projects came when
a decision on the three key hydel projects on Bhagirathi,
which were put on hold, is expected by the Centre in April
when Maha Kumbh mela culminates here.
The Centre has already made it clear that it would not
sanction any new projects on the river.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, March 21, 2010, 23:45