Residents of Raghuganga Rural Municipality in Myagdi district have submitted a 31-point demand to five hydropower projects under construction in the area. The demand was formulated after extensive discussions among local political parties, stakeholders, and representatives, following concerns that the projects had not fulfilled their minimum responsibilities.
Rural Municipality Chairman Bhava Bahadur Bhandari stated that an all-side meeting was held on Sunday, during which the demands were prepared. The projects have been asked to disclose details of the budget allocated under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) heading and other expenditures. A letter has been sent to the project chiefs, requesting their presence at a discussion on hydropower issues scheduled for March 14.
The hydropower projects under construction include the 40-megawatt Rahughat, 22.5-megawatt Thulokhola ‘A’, 35.5-megawatt Rahughat Mangale, 21.3-megawatt Thulokhola, and 48.5-megawatt Upper Rahughat.
Locals and representatives have raised concerns about the projects spending budgets unilaterally, despite the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report stating that the projects would have adverse effects on the area’s physical, chemical, biodegradable, economic, social, religious, and cultural environment. The report mandates that a certain amount of funds be allocated to mitigate these impacts.
Last year, the hydropower projects had agreed to gravel and upgrade the roads leading to project sites, but no progress has been made. Among the key demands of the rural municipality are blacktopping the approach roads, making the project’s total cost estimate public, and ensuring that CSR funds are spent as per the decision of the Ward and Rural Municipality Executive.
Despite repeated requests, none of the projects have submitted their Detailed Project Report (DPR) or EIA report to the rural municipality. Other demands include allocating 10 percent of the project’s total cost to local residents, compensating for houses damaged during construction, providing alternative drinking water and irrigation facilities due to dried-up water sources, and compensating for damage to forests and environmental pollution.
Residents have also demanded transparency regarding funds allocated for education, health, and water supply in the affected communities. People’s representatives and stakeholders have been pressuring the projects to ensure accountability and proper utilization of community funds.
