New Delhi: Concerned over derailment of power
projects in the state despite environment clearance, Andhra
Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah has asked the Centre not to
rescind the approvals in the wake of protests by green
activists and private interest groups.
In a letter to Environment and Forest Minister Jairam
Ramesh, he said 20,000 MW of proposed power projects in the
state have necessary environment clearances but "now various
NGOs/private interest groups are raising issues adversely
affecting some of these."
"I am sure that you will kindly ensure that necessary
steps are taken by your ministry that clearances accorded
following due process are not interfered with in any manner...
merely based on certain presumptive petitions," he wrote on
July 29.
Ramesh had yesterday told Rajya Sahba that permission to
three power projects and one aluminium smelter refiner project
in Andhra Pradesh was suspended for alleged violation of
Forest Conservation Act.
Though Ramesh did not name companies, the projects
suspended include 2,640 MW East Coast Energy that had obtained
environment clearance from Union Ministry of Environment and
Forest on April 9, 2009.
"All these projects have conducted Environment Impact
Assessment (EIA) following due procedures of law and have
obtained requisite clearances including environment clearances
from competent authorities," Rosaiah wrote.
He said Andhra Pradesh government was conscious of the
potential impact of the projects on environmental balance and
has ensured that "this development doesn`t come at a cost to
the environment and to the detriment of local inhabitants."
"Government of Andhra Pradesh is also aware that extreme
views or decisions on either end of the development vs
environment divide would not be prudent. I am sure that you
would also share the view being fellow travellers on the same
path of progress of equity," he wrote.
Over 20,000 MW of electricity generation capacity has
been proposed over the next 4-5 years to reduce power deficit
in the state.
PTI
