THREE power giants of international repute will pump in crores of rupees to exploit a portion of the 40000-MW hydro-power potential of Arunachal Pradesh, projected as the power house of  the country. Chief Minister Gegong Apang said that J P Associates Ltd., Reliance Energy Limited and D S Constructions Ltd. would execute five projects to generate 5200 MW power, which was approved by the the State cabinet.

J P Associates Ltd would execute 1600-MW Lower Siang hydroelectric project (HEP) and 500-MW Hirong HEP, Reliance would execute 700-MW Tata II HEP and 1000-MW Siyom HEP, while D S Constructions would develop 1000-MW Naying HEP, the Chief Minister informed.

Announcing that the decision would herald a new era of private investment in the State, Mr. Apang pointed out that all these projects in Siang belt would be run-off river projects without disturbing the fragile and highly seismic ecosystem in tune with the State Government・s hydro-power policy.The projects, with a lease period of 45 years extendable by another 45 years at the discretion of the State Government, would be offering as high as 19 per cent free share as against the centre・s criteria of 12 per cent, which would ．・immensely enrich・・ the State・s exchequer.

Moreover, the companies  would be paying Rs 20,000 crore (half of it as earnest money and the rest as value of free power to be adjusted later) as proof of their commitment to execute the projects, he said adding, a 1000-MW project would yield Rs two crore for the State Government.

The MoUs approved by the Cabinet would be signed within a short time, the Chief Minister said. The agreements include rehabilitation package for people to be affected, employment  opportunities to the locals in C and D group jobs, besides, fulfilling various social obligations, like setting up of schools, hospitals and constructing roads for the locality, informed chief secretary Ashok Kumar said.

The Chief Minister, when asked about the execution of 1500-MW Lower Subansiri project being implemented by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), said the matter was sub-judice. However, the State Government would not allow execution of the project ．・until and unless the Supreme Court amends some of the clauses suitable for the State・・. One of the clauses to declare a vast area as wild life sanctuary would require displacement of one lakh population, which would be a next to impossible task, he added.

Setting at rest all rumours regarding collapse of the Arunachal Pradesh State Cooperative Apex Bank Limited (APSCAB), Chief Minister Gegong Apang announced a reform package approved by the Cabinet to restore the health of the bank and improve its functioning.

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