MUMBAI, FEB 10: Maharashtra Chief Minister Narayan Rane today categorically stated that there have been no human rights violations against opponents of Enron's Dabhol power project at Guhagar in Ratnagiri district.``I am a representative of the people from the Konkan region and am aware of all the happenings as regards the project right since the land acquisition process began,'' Rane said in response to a query on US-based Human Rights Watch's accusations against Dabhol Power Company (DPC) and the State Government.
Rane was speaking to media persons after five board members of Enron Corporation, chief promoter of DPC, met him at Sahyadri guest house here ahead of the commissioning of the gas-based project's 740 MW phase-I by March end.
The board members included Enron Corp chairman Kenneth Lay, vice-chairperson Rebecca Mark and former US Ambassador Frank Wisner, who could not reach Guhagar to inspect the project due to strike by Air Traffic Controllers as well as bad weather.
Other members of the15-member Enron board were, however, able to reach the site.
Mark said `the Human Rights Watch's allegations were disappointing.''
Rane said the State Government reminded Enron officials of their commitment to provide social infrastructure like roads, water, health and educational facilities and also jobs for locals.
Copyright © 1999 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.