Raghuganga: Locals of Raghuganga Rural Municipality in Myagdi district have presented a 31-point demand to five hydropower projects under construction in the municipality. The demands were formulated after extensive discussions among local political parties, stakeholders, and people’s representatives, citing that the projects failed to meet their minimum responsibilities.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Rural Municipality Chairman Bhava Bahadur Bhandari stated that an all-side meeting was organized at the rural municipality to draft the demands. The meeting was held after it was revealed that the projects had not disclosed details of the funds allocated under the social responsibility heading and other expenses. The municipality has sent a letter to the chiefs of the hydropower projects, inviting them to a comprehensive discussion on March 14, with the intent of reaching a written agreement on the demands.
The projects involved include the 40-megawatt Rahughat, 22.5 megawatt Thulokhola ‘A’, 35.5 megawatt Rahughat Mangale, 21.3 megawatt Thulokhola, and 48.5 megawatt Upper Rahughar hydropower projects. Locals and representatives voiced their concerns after observing unilateral budget spending by the projects, despite the environmental impact assessment report indicating potential adverse effects on various environmental and social aspects. The report had specified that funds should be allocated to mitigate these impacts.
The rural municipality pointed out that although an agreement was reached last year to gravel and upgrade the roads from the rural municipality to the project sites, no action has been taken. Among the demands are the blacktopping of approach roads, public disclosure of the projects’ total cost estimates, and the allocation of corporate social responsibility funds as per decisions by the Ward and Rural Municipality Executive.
Rural Municipality Chief Administrative Officer Chet Narayan Bhandari noted that the projects have been instructed to provide evidence of tax payments for materials used beyond specified limits. Despite requests, the projects have not submitted their Detailed Project Report and EIA report to the municipality. Additional demands include a 10 percent share of the projects’ total cost for locals, immediate compensation for damaged houses, and the construction of alternative water facilities.
The demands also cover compensation for forest damage, environmental pollution, and transparency regarding funds for community services such as education and health. The stakeholders are urging transparency to ensure community welfare in the project-affected areas.