Alternative Practices: Action plans for implementation of alternative development models

Micro Thermal Power Plant


The trend in India, in emulation of the West, has always been to establish large super power thermal power plants to meet our galloping energy needs. In the process, we have –

1. Displaced large number of people living in the rural hinterland and taken away their fertile lands, thus depriving them of their source of living which has been in existence for generations.
2. Destroyed the environment through air and water pollution
3. Consumed our natural resources like coal reserves at a fast rate depleting the natural wealth
4. Provided little or no power to the rural areas since most power generated is meant for the urban affluent section of our society


In comparison, village Hurli in Barakagaon Block of Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand, under the leadership of Dr. Mithilesh Dangi, has created an alternative micro thermal model of power generation which almost eliminates most of the disadvantages enumerated above. He has done this to challenge the NTPC super thermal power plant of 1960 MW planned to be set up in his area and demonstrated conclusively that his alternate micro thermal model is the answer to Jharkhand’s woes concerning shortage of electricity. A comparison will explain the facts of the case.


S. No. Item NTPC Super Thermal Power Plant (North Karanpura Power Project) Micro Thermal Power Plant
(196000 nos. of 10 KW each)
1. (a) MW generated 1960 MW 1960 MW
(b) Available for Jharkhand 500 MW 1960 MW
2. Investment Rs. 16,000 crores Rs. 2,450 crores
3. Coal consumption per annum 15 million tons 11 million tons
4. Land requirement 2,500 acres in one place 1,000 acres spread across Jharkhand
5. Employment generation 700 6,00,000 spread across Jharkhand



Jharkhand’s total requirement of electricity is about 5000 MW. This can be generated by 5000 units of 1 MW each, requiring a total investment of Rs. 6,250 crores, generating an employment of 45,00,000. Small thermal units also minimize displacement in a particular area and can be managed by the beneficiaries concerned. The pollution effect is also minimized.

ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT


Story of Chandil Dam Displacement



For the first time in the history of any displacement due to large dams, many innovative proposals and steps have been implemented under the leadership of Mr. Arvind Anjum as given below :
1. The right of promoting tourism on the lake has been taken by the cooperative efforts of the displaced and the authority for the same has been given by the Jharkhand Government after a long struggle. Today the Chandil Lake tourism with all kinds of boats for the tourists is managed by the displaced people themselves and the renewable lease is valid for 10 years.
2. The total fishing rights from the lake also has been taken by the displaced population and the Governement has been forced to sanction the same.
3. The right to draw water from the catchment area for irrigation of adjoining lands and to use lift irrigation and other means has also been achieved through a long struggle.

ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT

Revival of Handloom Weavers

In association with Dastkar Andhra and the active support of the Jharkhand Government, weavers in Lohardagga will be given proper knowledge, support and training for restarting their handlooms which have lying idle for so many years. The problems that they encountered in the past will be addressed and with their active association removed. Jharkhand has a rich history of handloom and tussar silk weaving and their revival will give life to many families as well as stop the migration to cities.

The problems that they had faced in the past were –
Lack of proper yarn availability
Lack of adequate working capital finance
Lack of proper dyeing facilities
Lack of design inputs
Lack of proper marketing support
The alternative development program will address these and other issues during implementation.

Aims & objectives of JADFO

• To disseminate information on alternative development models and practices through exhibitions and seminars
• To implement such models in the State of Jharkhand through people’s participation at the grassroots level
• To publish and circulate information on successfully implemented alternative development models
• To make the public particularly the civil society aware of the dangers of the current economic model of globalization
• To prepare a true people’s plan for development to act on such Plans and programs
• To promote and project actively the necessity of rural development based on agriculture and agro-based industries
• To work for creation of employment opportunities in rural areas to stop rural migration to already overpopulated urban centres
• To work on promotion and development of small and cottage industries in rural hinterlands
• To get small industrialists, traders and businessman interested in the development of rural sector by highlighting the multiple gains to be made by them through such effort
• To ultimately work towards creation of a harmonious violence free fully educated and employed rural sector supported by the social conscious urban sector

Seventeen Years of Globalization has given us

• Widening of rich-poor divide
• Second largest number of billionaires in the world co-existing side by side with 77% of the population having to survive with Rs. 20/- per day
• Rural neglect in the name of speedy urbanization
• Curtailment of agriculture for rapid industrialization
• Displacement of rural poor to make way for urban growth
• Increasing violence due to large scale unemployment and disenchantment
• Insatiable urban consumption with rural starvation deaths
• Creation of a wealthy class unconcerned with how the other Bharat lives

Alternative Model of Development is aimed towards

• Rural development as opposed to urban
• Investment in and modernization of agriculture and afro-based industries
• Promotion of small and cottage industries in the rural areas
• Minimal or no displacement opportunities in the rural hinterland to discourage migration to urban centers
• Development projects based on People’s Plan with grassroots participation
• Community control over natural resources and community ownership of projects
• Protection of nature and environment along with rural growth

Jharkhand Alternative Development – Prospects and Practices

Jharkhand Alternative Forum organized a two-day Seminar on April 12th to 13th at YMCA Hall, Ranchi to discuss and evaluate various alternative development models being practiced in the country so that their adaptability could be considered for application in Jharkhand.

In the sessions, noted alternate development thinkers from across the country had been invited to share their experiences and expertise with the people of Jharkhand. Well-known activist of Narmada Bachao Andolan, Ms Medha Patkar, spoke and emphasized on the importance of development model being evolved from the grass-roots level like the gram sabhas, panchayats and municipal wards rather than being formulated in Delhi and being pushed down. People’s role and participation is the foundation of any proper developmental planning and issues like displacement, large scale industrialization, elimination of traditional methods of work, etc. without the consultation and participation of the people involved is the greatest threat to the fabric of our democratic system.

Noted economists Dr. Aseem Shrivastava and Dr. Arun Kumar from Delhi emphasized the investment in agriculture and rural economy as the overriding requirement of the correct form of development. Employment of people and not mere growth per say must be the basis of development if the masses are to find any answer to the years of poverty and neglect that has been their share since independence.

Alternate development practitioners from various parts of the country – namely, Dr. Rahul Verman from I.I.T. Kanpur and Yogeshwar Kumar from Uttrakhand – then presented models of cooperatives and micro hydro-electric power generation for adaptation by Jharkhand keeping in mind the rural development with least or no displacement.

The second and final phase of the seminar on ‘Alternative development Jharkhand – Prospects and practices conducted by ‘Jharkhand alternative development forum (JADFO), Ranchi was a remarkable success.

Presenting the opening statement Chairperson for the second day ‘Vasavi, a Prominent Journalist and tribal development social activist presented her thoughts on the development of the villages for sustainable development. Quoting the example of Ghandhian model of development she said that the India lives in villages has changed to Indian lives into shopping malls and multiplexes, they are mushrooming, while the poor are getting more & poorer.

Arvind Anjum ( renowned activist) addressing the audience assembled spoke on the commercialization of natural resources and said “ Development policies should be focused on preservation of environment and natural resources, so that the future generations can also enjoy them”. Quoting the example of Chandil Dam he said that the Government took over 10 years to increase the height of the dam by 4’ feet, development cannot go at this rate. The water collected in casement area of the dam, should be canalized for irrigation… the Romans has aqua ducts in pre historic times and in our so called modern times we let go of all the water as waste.

Mr. Banwari Lal Sharma (Independent writer and social activist) emphasized the need for awareness to discriminate between development and destruction to bring about real development. He said we need to focus on alternative development because of the consolidation of natural resources and biological resources. If the use of natural produce is done with the common consent of the society and the community only then we can think of sustainable development.

Dr. Aseem Shrivastava (Prominent economist) said that “India seems to be run by people sitting in Washington. We have been fed the erroneous concept that there is no alternative to development other than commercialization” he quoted example of the ‘1969 – Priority sector lending act’ which was later discarded by recommendations of the World Bank. Further speaking he added “western approach believes in having social sectors and not society”. Concluding his discussion he expressed concern on the need for a revolutionary change in all the so called sectors Finance, retail, insurance, banking, industrial and agricultural else these sectors as this sectionalisation has lead to a complete destruction of rural and natural resources.

Dr Ramesh Sharan (Eminent Economist) said development is cancerous in nature today and the need is for a non cancerous – non destructive development. Paying less to the producers or charging more from the consumers is profit… we must think of a equity based development. “Unless and until every individual is liberated from malnutrition, unemployment, discrimination and exploitation the development will never be completed”. He concluded his discussion with “Development must be human development indices based and not only human – if it has to qualify as sustainable and complete development.

Sanjay Bosu Mullick ( ) spoke of the community controlled; need based use of natural recourses. He said “Current development policy is not only anti social it is anti nature too. Asking for right on the land, water, and the forests is termed anti–development.” Praising socialistic ideologies he said “capitalism is far behind socialism because socialism has very high principles and ideologies. It emphasizes on listening to the voice of your heart not your mind”. Concluding his speech and expressing concern on the senseless exploitation of natural resources, especially the forests of Jharkhand he said that sadly the government is against the community forest management and hence against socialism.

Mr. Balram (State Advisor to Supreme Court Commissioner) said “development today is a myth and it is absolute slavery of different brands owned by capitalists. Discrimination based reservation cannot ever qualify as development it’s a myth that has been forced fed into our minds by a handful capitalists.

Dr. B.P Keshari (Jharkhand movement activist and anthropologist) chairpersoned the final round of the seminar and presented the vote of thanks, especially to the print and electronic media for giving space to a seminar of such an important magnitude.