Itanagar, July 20: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu today came to the rescue of the people affected by the 405MW hydroelectric projects on the Ranganadi (Panyor) river in Yajuli and adjoining villages in Lower Subansiri district by announcing an allocation of one per cent from the state's share of free electricity for local area development.

Admitting that the grievances of the people were genuine, Khandu announced the share for the affected villages during a tripartite meeting, called to resolve the impasse, in his office this morning.

The affected people have been at loggerheads with the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (Neepco) under the banner of the Ranganadi Hydro Electric Project (RHEP) MoU Demand Committee, alleging non-fulfilment of the rights deserved by the local residents according to the norms and promises made before the implementation of the project.

The committee has protested and closed down Neepco's establishments at Yajuli at least on two occasions.

The chief minister expressed surprise that a hydroelectric project of this magnitude was implemented and commissioned in the state without signing any memorandum of understanding and was running for more than 15 years.

The only legal (and official) document available on its inception and existence is the minutes of the meeting held under the then chief minister Gegong Apang and signed by the then chief secretary Matin Dai and Neepco chairman S.N. Phukan on August 28, 1990.

It allowed implementation of the project with certain conditions for development and welfare of the local residents and affected villages.

"Maybe circumstances then were different and maybe it was executed in good faith but the times have changed. Whatever wrong we did has to be made right. We have to immediately sign an MoU incorporating our state hydroelectric policy of 2008 provisions so that there is a legal framework under which we can all work and benefit without depriving the rights of the local residents," Khandu said.

He said in the absence of a legal framework, the rights of the affected people, like local area development, free electricity, job reservations, relief and rehabilitation packages, have been denied for long.

Ranganadi is the first and only commissioned mega hydroelectric power project of the state.

Khandu regretted that people today were apprehensive of hydroelectric power projects elsewhere in the state and emphasised the correction of "wrongs" in this project to set a positive precedent.

He directed the Neepco authorities to compile a comprehensive report on the demands placed by the MoU Demand Committee and to submit it to the state government by August 5. He said the cabinet, which is scheduled to meet next month, will decide a way to redress all the grievances of the local people.

"After August 15, I, along with the Neepco authorities, shall seek an audience with the Union power ministry. We shall strongly push for a relook into the ministry's policy for the welfare of the affected local areas, including a change of project nomenclature from Ranganadi to Panyor and the establishment of a Neepco office within the state," Khandu said.

Sagalee legislator and former chief minister Nabam Tuki said the rights of the affected people have to be fulfilled at all costs and that there's no second opinion to it.

"Whatever wrong has been done should not be repeated in upcoming projects," he added.

Yajuli legislator Likha Saaya also said the demands of the affected people were genuine and that Neepco should appreciate them.

Saaya also called for a fresh MoU between the state government and Neepco on the Ranganadi project to address all grievances of the affected people.

Meanwhile, the state power commissioner has been entrusted with the responsibility to study the issues raised by the demand committee in consultation with Neepco and suggest ways to approach the Union power ministry for issues that are beyond the purview of the Neepco CMD's office.