New Delhi: With the Environment Ministry yet
to give its nod for several irrigation and power projects in
Andhra Pradesh, a delegation of six ministers from the state
today met Jairam Ramesh and demanded that they be given
expeditious clearance.
The delegation led by Irrigation Minister Ponnala
Laxmaiah met Ramesh at his office here and impressed upon him
the need for expeditious clearance for the projects, which
have been pending for a very long time with the Ministry.
According to the Ministers, the Environment Ministry
has not given its clearance for nine irrigation projects, 15
power plants and two aluminium projects which will come up in
Andhra Pradesh.
The Ministers are understood to have told the Environment
Minister that the projects should be given clearance on an
urgent basis since they may have an impact on the people.
"He assured us that he will give immediate clearance to
three power projects. We hope it will be done soon," Laxmaiah
and Forest Minister P Ramachandra Reddy told reporters after
the meeting.
For other pending projects, they said, Ramesh assured
that he will look into the issue.
"We are hopeful of a positive outcome. Ramesh will
travel to Hyderabad on August 19 for a meeting with Chief
Minister K Rosaiah during which all these issues will be
discussed," Laxmaiah said.
-PTI
