In a move that would rub the government on wrong side, the Telangana State Rythu Sangham has challenged the public hearing. It has issued notice under Section 19 (b) of E (P) Act, 1986, to the Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the notice was forwarded on August 18.
In the notice it was stated that the Chief Engineer, I and CAD, has committed an offence under Section 15 of E (P) Act, 1986. “We gave a notice of 60 days under section 19(b) of E (P) Act 1986 of our intention to file a complaint in the court against the Chief Engineer,” said the notice.
The notice signed by Pasya Padma and V.S. Prasad Sastry stated that the Ministry of Environment and Forest has given clearance only for pre-construction activity whereas reports published in a section of media, including The Hindu , says that the work is under progress. It has mentioned about a huge tunnel being built as part of Kaleswaram project.
“Section 19 (b) of E (P) Act 1986 accords permission for any individual to file a criminal case against any official concerned if there is any environment violation. Even the extract of Comptroller and Auditor General report stated that no environmental clearance or forest clearance was ever obtained,” Mr. Prasad told The Hindu .
Referring to the copy of a letter by the Director, Ministry of Environment and Forests, on March 31, 2017, Mr. Prasad said that full construction activity must not be taken up as permission was accorded only for pre-construction related activity. “Many a time we came across reports which stated that huts were removed and buildings were demolished for constructing without permission. Then how can the government itself become a violator?” asked Mr. Prasad Sastry.
