Guwahati: A central draft allegedly framed to legalize the industries and factories in the economy sensitive areas is set to run into a hail of protest in Assam and other north eastern states.
Drafted as Environment Impact Assessment 2020, by the ministry of forest and environment, the draft has watered down the existing rules to set up big, medium and small scale industries on the basis of an assessment.
All Assam Students Union and KMSS along with many other organizations have vociferously opposed the move.
"Only Assam and other north eastern states will have to bear the brunt. But we won't allow anybody to loot our resources," said AASU general secretary Lurinjyoti Gogoi.
The move assumes significance amid much hurdles and cry over the move to explore oil in the ecosensitive areas like DihingPatkai and Dibru Saikhowa national park.
A non governmental organization based in New Delhi has written to Union forest and environment minister Prakash Javadekar to cancel the draft and to stop the stage managed public hearings. Here is the letter:
Subject: Request to Withdraw Draft EIA 2020 in the interest of Environmental and Public Welfare
Dear Shri. Prakash Javadekar,
In March 2020, during the COVID pandemic and under your leadership, the MOEFCC had released the Draft EIA 2020 Notification, and I am writing to you today to unequivocally request that this draft be withdrawn on account of how destructive it can prove to be for the ecology and the people of our great nation.
Though the notification states that it seeks to make the EIA process ‘more transparent and expedient’. But several renowned organizations, experts and the public have raised serious questions and concerns about the consequences, if such an amendment came into force.
There is a lot of sound scientific research emerging, linking the present pandemic to the vast destruction of natural habitats – which among numerous other ecosystem services, also greatly buffer zoonotic diseases like COVID – 19. This is in the larger context of a global climate breakdown – repercussions of which our country is already witnessing many, including the devastating Supercyclone Amphan in the East and the cyclone Nisarga in the West. In this light, the Draft EIA 2020 caters purely to the ‘ease of doing business’ in India and does not address these larger looming issues. This also comes at a time when the Government is opening up all its sectors to private companies – entities neither elected by or directly accountable to the people. This takes power away from the people which goes against our democratic ideals.
The proposed notification considerably relaxes various guidelines, restrictions and safeguards which legally exist for our wilderness and local people. This is in contravention to the scope and spirit of Section 3 of the Environmental Protections Act (1986) itself. It seems to make circumstances strongly favourable to industrial and corporate interests. Pertinent examples of this are the allowance of post-facto clearances and the non-requirement of EIA for B2 projects, which include potentially harmful ones like river valley projects, tanneries, many chemical manufacturing units, petrochemical industries, expansion of national highways, etc. How can we expect the perpetrators of ecological crimes to keep themselves accountable? We cannot! It is understandable that the government is taking measures to counter the recent economic slowdown, but these measures need to be also cognizant of long term and far-reaching ecological and social impacts. This is not to mention that destruction of the environment is proven to be worse for the economy in the longer term.
While there has been some streamlining with respect to the categorisation of projects, the public consultation step has been severely undermined. This dilutes an important democratic process ensuring the welfare of stakeholders in the project areas. It is not reasonable to expect that the public can get informed opinions on such short timelines.
There are a number of other such exemptions given for industries and relaxations of restrictions, which presently exist as safeguards against destructive development. There is, as such, nothing in the notification which is for the protection and conservation of the environment itself and/or for public welfare. Clearing this draft would be an untold disaster for the long-term welfare of our nation and the world.
It is laudable that the Ministry has extended the notice period for public review of this notification upto August 11th, considering numerous public representations and the lockdown situation. I further request you to kindly consider the above-mentioned arguments and withdraw this notification, keeping in mind the long-term welfare of our country’s natural wealth, local communities, and future generations.
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New Delhi: Congress has named Ripun Bora as the party candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha poll slated for March 31.
Bora, the incumbent, will be the candidate for the second seat who is expecting support from Congress, AIUDF, CPI and others.
The ruling party has already named Pabitra Margherita as the candidate for the first seat and skipped the name for the second seat since it lacks numbers.
Earlier BJP leaders claimed to have been preparing to name candidates for both seats. Congress also had a few rounds of hectic confabulation with AIUDF leadership.
The terms of Ripun Bora and Renee Narah will expire on April 2.
New Delhi: The BJP's central leadership has named Pabitra Margherita as the party candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections slated for March 31.
The party issued a list on Friday where the ruling party has not named anybody for the second seat.
The ruling coalition lacks the numbers to get yet another candidate to get elected smoothly.
Only a united opposition has the chance for smooth sailing in it. Opposition parties are having hectic confabulation to ensure their candidate, while Ripun Borah is said to be a strong contender. Bora and his party are in touch with AIUDF.
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Present: Sri. B. Baruah, AJS, SDJM 1, Kamrup (M) Dated: 05.03.2022
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The ruling coalition has every chance of winning one of the two seats while the Opposition, if it remains united, will be able to win one seat.
Hectic confabulation has yet to take place in the opposition camp.
According to the information, Congress leadership is expected to talk to AIUDF in this regard on March 9.
The term for Ripun Bora and AIUDF will expire on April 2 this year.
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