India - Second POWERGRID System Development Project - environmental assessment (Vol. 2 of 4)

NATIONAL CONSULTATION V ON POWER6RID'S ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL POLUCY & PROCEDURES (E-SPP) SCOPE CONVNTION CENTRE. NEW DELHI THURSDAf, 12 JUNE 1997 Eniomn & oia aagmn (A -Got. O- t----a t ;se) X_ Wlf .--X--_ w Z _ *K -~- I 3~- = Environmen*t- & Social Mangeen (A Govt. O..._4w'6,'. >L1f .ni Enterrise  TABLE OF CONTENTS Page # National Consultation - Process 1 Annexure - I 4 Public Notice Annexure - 2: 8 Invitation Letter Annexure - 3: 9 The Agenda for the National Consultation Annexure - 4: 10 Welcome Address by Mr. S.C. Mishra, Executive Director POWERGRID Annexure - 5: 12 Inaugural Address by Ulr. R.P. Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, POWERGRID Annexure - 6: 14 Slides of the presentation on POWERGRID's ESPP Annexure - 7: 29 Queries raised during the discussion Annexure - 8: 32 Discussions Annexure - 9: 35 List of Participants Photographs Press clippings  NATIONAL CONSULTATION - PROCESS POWERGRID was incomorated as a wholly owned Govemment of india enterprise nearly a decade ago by amalgamating transmission systems of various central and state companies. The prime role of POWERGRID is to facilitate transfer of bulk power within and across the regions with reliability, security and economy. Currently. POWERGRID operates over 27.000 circuit kilometers of transmission lines with 55 sub-stations. The Indian power sector has gone ttrough a phenomenal growth during last Tliree decades But such a growth has accompanied serious impact on environment. Virtually everyday concerned citizens and NGOs complain that power projects have indiscriminately degraded the niatural resources or have'been insensitive to sccio-cuttural issues. Fortunately, in routirtg of bulk power transmission lines and locating substations, there is considerable flexibility to avoid environmentally sensitive areas such as fragile ecosystems with thesr inherent biodiversity. and also dense human habitats and areas of cultural significance. Mandate given to POWERGRID is-to develop National power arid and to achieve this it has to lay a network of transmission lines all over the country. In'spite of the relative advantage due to flexibility POWERGRID has realised that implementation of transmission project may result in some environmental and social implications. In order to pre-empt these POWERGRID over a year ago, decided to develop its Corporate Environmental and Social Policy and Procedures {ESPP). POWERGRID is sure that the ESPP would make the environment and social management measures more explicit and also optimise the timeframe of its projects. With enhanced traihparency, the ESPP would also fac litate negotiations with funding agencies and other stakeholders. In order to obtain feedback from the stakeholders on the Environmental and Social Policy and Procedures (ESPP) to maike it more transparent, POWERGRID decided to organise a National Consultation on 12 June, 1997. The process of consultation started wfith information to public through public notice published in leading National dailies (Annexure- 1) followed by formal invitabon leKter from POWERGRID's Chairman & Managing Director (Annexure-2) to seeted invitees from Ministy of Power, MOE&F, CEA, State Eledicity Boards. Allied Organisations,'Academia, NGOs, and PAPs from our projects. Finally. more than 150 participants from govemment, academia, NGOs, project affected persons (PAPs), media and concemed citizens participated in a National Consultation on POWERGRID's ESPP. The agenda for the National Consultation is attached as Annexure - 3 and a list of the participants is enckosed as Annexure -9. Welcome address The day long consuttation began with a welcome address by Mr. S.C. Mishra, Executive Director. Environment and Social Management, POWERGRID He described the construction, operation and maintenance activities of POWERGRID transmission projects He emphasized on the flexibility available with transmission projects to avoid environmentai and social issues at each step of its operation. He also stressed on POWERGRID's commitment to transparency and put,lic consultation at relevant stages of its operaton A copy of welcome address is endosed in Annexure - 4.  Inaugural Address In his inaugural address, Mr. RP. Singh, Chairman and Managing Director highlighted POWERGRID's contribution to the sustainable development process in the country. He reaffirmed POWERGRID's corporate environmental and social responsibility and described how it is translated into operational procedures through the ESPP. He invited constructive feedback during the National Consultation and also at later stage. A copy of the inaugural address as enclosed as Annexure -5. Corporate Audio-Visual The' participants at the National Consultation were provided with a concise yet comprehensive glimpse of POWERGRID's operations through an audio-visual. This audio- visual enabled the participants to have a much better understanding of POWERGRID based on which they could interact more meaningfully during the discussions. Presentation of POWERGRIDs ESPP After a short break Mr. V.C. Agarwal, Additional General Manager. Environmental and Social Management, presented POWERGRID's ESPP in detail to the participants. He described how POWERGRID with the experience of 27.000 circuit kilometres and 55 substations, has addressed einvironmental and social concerns based on principles of avoidance, minimization and nibigation. He further described the operational measures that have been set in place to ensure that the environment and social assessment and management process is fully integrated into the typical project cycle. Finally, the organisational support systems indcuding staff development plans were illustrated. Slides of the presentation are enclosed in Annexure -6. Discussions The discussion on the ESPP was spread over the moming and the aftemoon sessions. The panelists included Mr. SC. Mishra, Executive Director, Mr. K. Singh, Executive Director, Mr. V.C. Agarwal, Additional General Manager, Mr. S. Majumdar, Additional General Manager, Mr. S.K. Chabjrvedi, Deputy General Manager. The discussion was facilitated by Mr. George C. Varughese, Vice President, Development Altematives. Several participants commended POWERGRID for the initiative to organise the National Consultation and also make ffeir.operations more transparent. The key concems were essentially regarding resettlernent and rehabilitation of project affected persons (PAPs). Each of the fifteen PAPs present was provided an opportunity to describe their experience and also to express their views. While most of them stated that they were looking for a paermanent job with POWERGRID, the panelists clearly explained why it was virtually impossible to provide a permanent job. On the other hand, the panelists clarified, that the POWERGRID entitlement fraimework included compensation plus rehabilitation assistance for alternate income generating opportunities. Participants while commending the efforts of the POWERGRID, reiterated that the process of resettlement and rehabilitation should be nurlired carefully in such a way that the PAPs do not lose out in the long run. Participants also sought clarifications on environment management measures outlined by POWERGRID. Some technical aspects of power transmission were also discussed. 2  Queries raised by the participants are enclosed as Annexure-7 and details of the discussion are enclosed as Annexure - 8. Concluding Session In the concluding session Mr. George C Varughese summarised the salient issues raised during the consultation to Mr. R.P. Singh, CMD, POWERGRID. Mr. R.P. Singh further reiterated POWERGRID's commitment to its environmental and social responsibility. 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