Chungthang dam collapse: War of words escalate, SDF hits back at CM PS Tamang
First Published: 20th October, 2023 20:55 IST
SDF's reaction comes after Sikkim Chief Minister PS Tamang blamed the previous government for constructing a sub-standard dam by violating rules
Days after Prem Singh Tamang blamed the previous SDF government for the collapse of the Chungthang dam, the SDF has hit back at the Sikkim Chief Minister holding him responsible for the recent disaster.
Speaking to Northeast Live SDF chief spokesperson M.K Subba alleged that the PS Tamang government overlooked the implementation of the Dam Safety Act 2021, which ultimately led to the collapse of the Chungthang dam under the Teesta Stage III project.
Subba said, “If he would have been sincere, if he would have implemented the Dam Safety Act 2021, all of us know that he has not implemented that act. That was vital to save the lives of people downstream and upstream of the Teesta Stage III project. He has overlooked the very critical act. That could have saved the lives of people of Sikkim in this Teesta river basin. He has failed on all fronts.”
Not only this, according to MK Subba, the Sikkim Chief Minister is not the competent authority to decide on whether a dam is substandard or not. Subba stated, “The present CM is specially saying that the dam has been substandard. He is not the authority to say whether the dam was substandard or not. He is not the statutory body who can ever say that the dam was good or bad.
The dam was built as per specification monitored by the statutory committee of the GoI. There are other bodies also which regulate the quality of dams means what is to be implement, what is to be done for maintaining the quality. All these are done by the central statutory body. In none of the states it is done by the state governments, it is done only by the central government statutory committee.”
The SDF leader alleged that Chief Minister Tamang was blaming the Pawan Chamling led government for the disaster for political gains.
In this context Subba said, “He (Prem Singh Tamang) is doing it just for political mileage. He is on a backfoot and right now he has lost the confidence of the people of Sikkim. Four and half years he has done nothing.”
According to CM Tamang, severe technical and financial irregularities from inception to completion led to the disaster. He further stated that the dam’s structural safety was compromised for benefitting a few persons in the then SDF government led by Pawan Kumar Chamling.
As per the Sikkim Chief Minister, the Central Water Commission (CWC) while approving the original dam design had directed that a concrete gravity-filled dam be built at Chungthang. But Tamang alleged that this was violated and instead a rock-filled dam was set up to cut the construction cost.
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Tipra Motha Turns Up the Heat: Demands Centre Act on TIPRASA Accord, Village Elections, and 125th Amendment
14th November 2024Live NEHU Crisis: Union Education Ministry Sets Up 2-Member Inquiry Committee
14th November 2024Live Meghalaya-Based Militant Outfit HNLC Banned for 5 Years by Centre over Security Threats
14th November 2024Live Meghalaya Government Awaits Defence Ministry Nod on Harijan Colony Relocation
14th November 2024WE RECOMMEND
97 Sikkim Schools Sikkim to Be Merged: Education Minister Raju Basnett
The Minister noted that input from local panchayats would guide the government on how best to utilize these spaces.
14th November 2024Citizen Action Party Accuses Sikkim Government of Misusing GLOF Relief Funds, To File PIL
Rai said that as per information obtained through RTI, Rs. 57 crore was used to clear debris from affected areas.
13th November 2024French Ambassador Thierry Mathou Arrives in Gangtok
The ambassador traveled from Darjeeling to Sikkim, where he was warmly welcomed by local officials and residents.
10th November 2024Sikkim Takes Key Steps to Address GLOF Risks With Global Support
The expedition, which took place from October 19 to November 5, 2024, focused on assessing the risk posed by the state's vulnerable lakes.
09th November 2024Amid Students’ Hunger Stirke, Sikkim University Students Union Holds Election
Anup Regmi, Roshni Gurung, and Shashi Shekhar Kumar is contesting for the position of SUSA president.
09th November 2024