LFWA urges

IMPHAL, Oct 22 : The Loktak Fisheries Welfare Association (LFWA), Manipur has expressed concern with the Power Purchasing Agreement (PPA) signed between the Loktak Downstream Hydroelectric Corporation Limited (LDHCL), a joint venture of NHPC Ltd and the Government of Manipur with the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited on August 31, 2020.
A press release signed by Heisnam Chaoba, secretary LFWA, claimed that the construction of 66 MW Loktak Downstream Project is pre-mature and should be put on hold as the plan to utilize water discharge from the Loktak Power Station of the 105 MW Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project for power generation will only extend the suffering of indigenous communities affected by Ithai Barrage.
The plan to build the Loktak Downstream Project constitutes disrespect and rejection of prolonged demands of affected people to decommission the 105 MW Loktak Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project and the Ithai Barrage, he continued adding that the NHPC's Loktak Project instead of irrigating 50,000 hectares of agriculture land submerged similar area of agriculture land and reduced Manipur to a food-dependent State.
He then urged the State Government to revoke the MoU signed with the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation on September 26, 2008 and the Power Purchasing Agreement on August 31.
Both the Centre and the State Government should also urgently initiate steps to decommission the Ithai Barrage of 105 MW  Loktak Project conceding the prolonged demands of the people of Manipur, he continued.