Politicians in state tear into Modi govt over appeal in SC
‘BJP Intends To Push Greenfield Project Against State Interest’
Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com
Chennai:01.06.2019
The Modi government moving the Supreme Court, challenging the Madras high court order that quashed the land acquisition proceedings for the ₹10,000 crore Chennai-Salem greenfield project, has triggered sharp reactions from Tamil Nadu political parties. While the DMK dubbed it an ‘unpardonable betrayal of Tamils’, the PMK, an NDA ally, expressed shock over the move and vowed to fight until the project was dropped.
A vacation bench of Justices M R Shah and A S Bopanna in the Supreme Court has scheduled hearing of the appeal for June 3, after counsel for the Centre said the prayer was of ‘utmost importance.’ In its April order, the high court had found the project report of the consultant highly flawed and held public hearing and environmental clearance from the Union government mandatory. The bench had observed that it would have adverse effects on environment and water bodies as it needed a mega realignment. The order had received widespread appreciation, and the affected farmers celebrated with sweets and fireworks.
DMK chief M K Stalin hit out at the state and central governments they failed to learn lessons from the “gift (read defeat)” handed over by the electorate in the state, especially in Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram Lok Sabha constituencies, where the alignment had been proposed. “It is shocking that the government headed by Narendra Modi, who vowed to build inclusive India, remains anti-Tamil Nadu just a day after assuming charge,” the DMK leader said, demanding that the scheme be withdrawn, and new routes be considered. The DMK-Congress combine had won the seats by a margin of 70,750 and 3.04 lakh votes, while Anbumani faced a humiliating defeat in Dharmapuri.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari had said in an election rally in Salem that the project would be executed after discussions with farmers. NHAI sources said the agency was keen on moving the SC with an appeal and papers were getting ready when election code of conduct was put in place. “Following the recommendations from expert appraisal committee of environment ministry, the NHAI engaged IIT Madras and got a report on the impact of proposed alignment on mountain ecosystem. It also entrusted an additional study to Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore. KITCO Limited, a joint venture of Kerala government and public sector banks completed 40% of socio-economic assessment on the impact of land acquisition,” said an official source. The agency reduced the acquisition of land from 2,400 hectares to 2,020 hectares following protests by farmers, activists and political parties.
The high court verdict came on a batch of petitions from 35 land owners and Anbumani Ramadoss. “We will put pressure on the state and central governments and get them to withdraw the project, which is unnecessary and would adversely affect farmers,” said Anbumani, who had filed a caveat before the Supreme Court. Incidentally, PMK founder Ramadoss and chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami were present when Union minister Gadkari announced the BJP’s intent to execute the project.
‘BJP Intends To Push Greenfield Project Against State Interest’
Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com
Chennai:01.06.2019
The Modi government moving the Supreme Court, challenging the Madras high court order that quashed the land acquisition proceedings for the ₹10,000 crore Chennai-Salem greenfield project, has triggered sharp reactions from Tamil Nadu political parties. While the DMK dubbed it an ‘unpardonable betrayal of Tamils’, the PMK, an NDA ally, expressed shock over the move and vowed to fight until the project was dropped.
A vacation bench of Justices M R Shah and A S Bopanna in the Supreme Court has scheduled hearing of the appeal for June 3, after counsel for the Centre said the prayer was of ‘utmost importance.’ In its April order, the high court had found the project report of the consultant highly flawed and held public hearing and environmental clearance from the Union government mandatory. The bench had observed that it would have adverse effects on environment and water bodies as it needed a mega realignment. The order had received widespread appreciation, and the affected farmers celebrated with sweets and fireworks.
DMK chief M K Stalin hit out at the state and central governments they failed to learn lessons from the “gift (read defeat)” handed over by the electorate in the state, especially in Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram Lok Sabha constituencies, where the alignment had been proposed. “It is shocking that the government headed by Narendra Modi, who vowed to build inclusive India, remains anti-Tamil Nadu just a day after assuming charge,” the DMK leader said, demanding that the scheme be withdrawn, and new routes be considered. The DMK-Congress combine had won the seats by a margin of 70,750 and 3.04 lakh votes, while Anbumani faced a humiliating defeat in Dharmapuri.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari had said in an election rally in Salem that the project would be executed after discussions with farmers. NHAI sources said the agency was keen on moving the SC with an appeal and papers were getting ready when election code of conduct was put in place. “Following the recommendations from expert appraisal committee of environment ministry, the NHAI engaged IIT Madras and got a report on the impact of proposed alignment on mountain ecosystem. It also entrusted an additional study to Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore. KITCO Limited, a joint venture of Kerala government and public sector banks completed 40% of socio-economic assessment on the impact of land acquisition,” said an official source. The agency reduced the acquisition of land from 2,400 hectares to 2,020 hectares following protests by farmers, activists and political parties.
The high court verdict came on a batch of petitions from 35 land owners and Anbumani Ramadoss. “We will put pressure on the state and central governments and get them to withdraw the project, which is unnecessary and would adversely affect farmers,” said Anbumani, who had filed a caveat before the Supreme Court. Incidentally, PMK founder Ramadoss and chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami were present when Union minister Gadkari announced the BJP’s intent to execute the project.
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