New Delhi:
Concerned over derailment of power projects in the state despite environment clearance, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah has asked the Centre not to rescind the approvals in the wake of protests by green activists and private interest groups.
In a letter to Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh, he said 20,000 MW of proposed power projects in the state have necessary environment clearances but "now various NGOs/private interest groups are raising issues adversely affecting some of these."
"I am sure that you will kindly ensure that necessary steps are taken by your ministry that clearances accorded following due process are not interfered with in any manner...merely based on certain presumptive petitions," he wrote on July 29.
Ramesh had yesterday told Rajya Sahba that permission to three power projects and one aluminium smelter refiner project in Andhra Pradesh was suspended for alleged violation of Forest Conservation Act.
Though Ramesh did not name companies, the projects suspended include 2,640 MW East Coast Energy that had obtained environment clearance from Union Ministry of Environment and Forest on April 9, 2009.
"All these projects have conducted Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) following due procedures of law and have obtained requisite clearances including environment clearances from competent authorities," Rosaiah wrote.
He said Andhra Pradesh government was conscious of the potential impact of the projects on environmental balance and has ensured that "this development doesn't come at a cost to the environment and to the detriment of local inhabitants."
"Government of Andhra Pradesh is also aware that extreme views or decisions on either end of the development vs environment divide would not be prudent. I am sure that you would also share the view being fellow travellers on the same path of progress of equity," he wrote.
Over 20,000 MW of electricity generation capacity has been proposed over the next 4-5 years to reduce power deficit in the state.
In a letter to Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh, he said 20,000 MW of proposed power projects in the state have necessary environment clearances but "now various NGOs/private interest groups are raising issues adversely affecting some of these."
"I am sure that you will kindly ensure that necessary steps are taken by your ministry that clearances accorded following due process are not interfered with in any manner...merely based on certain presumptive petitions," he wrote on July 29.
Ramesh had yesterday told Rajya Sahba that permission to three power projects and one aluminium smelter refiner project in Andhra Pradesh was suspended for alleged violation of Forest Conservation Act.
Though Ramesh did not name companies, the projects suspended include 2,640 MW East Coast Energy that had obtained environment clearance from Union Ministry of Environment and Forest on April 9, 2009.
"All these projects have conducted Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) following due procedures of law and have obtained requisite clearances including environment clearances from competent authorities," Rosaiah wrote.
He said Andhra Pradesh government was conscious of the potential impact of the projects on environmental balance and has ensured that "this development doesn't come at a cost to the environment and to the detriment of local inhabitants."
"Government of Andhra Pradesh is also aware that extreme views or decisions on either end of the development vs environment divide would not be prudent. I am sure that you would also share the view being fellow travellers on the same path of progress of equity," he wrote.
Over 20,000 MW of electricity generation capacity has been proposed over the next 4-5 years to reduce power deficit in the state.
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