Action Against Violations: Ramesh

Minister of Environment and Forests, Jairam Ramesh, on Saturday revealed that his ministry has received replies to the notices that had been sent to East Coast Energy Private Limited (ECEPL) and Nagarjuna Constructions, the companies that are setting up thermal power projects in the Srikakulam district.

Ramesh said that the replies are under study and action would be taken if any violation is spotted. "There is no question of condoning any violation," the Union Minister told mediapersons on the sidelines of the Green Landscape Summit-2011 at the CII - Godrej Green Business Centre (CII-GBC).

The Minister also stated that since the present method of preparing environmental assessment reports are flawed, his ministry will seek a 'third-party opinion' to evaluate the coal power and port construction projects under its jurisdiction.

He stated that the environmental impact assessment reports are nothing short of a 'joke', and that a 'third-party opinion' on the reports is advisable.

Jairam Ramesh recalled that the Supreme Court had also expressed its concern over the preparation of the environmental impact assessment reports.

He pointed out that the Ministry of Environment and Forests has over 200 authorised consultants who can prepare the environmental assessment reports. The government should start accepting reports from these consultants, he said.

Ramesh also recalled that the satellite mapping reports of the wetlands of the country are already with the ministry. "An atlas for each state will be released shortly," he stated.

"This," he said, "will go a long way in cleaning the system, especially since the government has not adopted a scientific approach towards wetland management."

Recalling that his ministry has already blacklisted 3 consultants who had produced fraudulent environment assessment reports, the Union Minister warned that even the government authorised consultants would be punished if they produce reports with 'misrepresentations'.

Courtesy: INN