Imagine, What Happens with Fast Tracking?

 It is reported that a five-screen Multiplex, at the busiest Kacheguda cross roads in Hyderabad, was given the go-ahead for screening the films by the AP State Government , even though it does not have the statutory NOC / Permission from Hyderabad Police Commissioner. The Police Commissioner is reported to have requested the State Govt. for clarification on action to be taken or penalty to be imposed for violating the Govt orders/rules, against the management of Multiplex – M/s Gayatri Hotels and Theaters Pvt. Ltd.- in which the family of influential Congress MP is known to have interests

 

The same Congress MP's family was involved in M/S Gayatri Hytech Hotels Ltd. which started construction of  Park Hyatt Hotel in Plot No 8-2-120 164 etc, Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, even before obtaining the statutory prior clearance of MOEF, in utter disregard and violation of the provisions of EIA Notification of 2006. When this was brought to the notice of the Prime Minister by letter dated 03-11-2007, the project proponent was rewarded with Environmental Clearance in March 2008, instead of initiating stipulated penal action for violation of the provisions of EIA Notification.

The other instance is about the proposed 1980 MW coal based Thermal Power Plant in about 1500 acres of land allotted by APIIC to M/s Thermal Powertech (India) Ltd,  in Polatithippa Village, Machilipatnam Mandal, Krishna District  having adverse impacts  on the Mangroves / Mud flats / barren lands in the Coastal areas of Polatithippa Village .After the AP High Court intervention by its order dated 12-09-2008 in W.P 177704 of 2008, the Power Plant was shifted to Nellore District near Krishnapatnam . Again, the same Congress MPs Family / Associates,  is understood to have been interested in M/s Thermal Powertech (India) Ltd.

To crown it all, the same Congress MP (Raja Sabha Member) was appointed as Chairman of Parliament Standing Committee (Rajya Sabha) on Science & Technology, Environment & Forests, in spite of vehement opposition voiced by NGOs and the concerned citizens against the appointment. It clearly establishes that violation of Law & Rules is a Rewarding and High Profit Business, instead of being subjected to any Penal Action and Risks.

 Environmental crimes often damage the community more seriously than the criminal offences of the conventional kind. Yet the Environmental Criminals get away with murder, because of their proximity to the Policy and Decision makers.

If this is the state of affairs now, can we imagine the extent environmental massacre, once the fast tracking of environmental clearances is brought into force by overruling the Environmental Acts, Rules etc. ?

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