By IANS,
New Delhi : Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah Wednesday said the central government would give environmental clearance to Kerala’s Athirappilly hydro-electric power project “very soon”.
Abdullah said he has discussed the issue with Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.
“We will clear it very soon,” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) government had alleged that Ramesh had undermined the proposed hydro-electric project at Athirappilly.
Ramesh had cited various reasons like opposition by environmentalists, groups and leaders, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s Principal Secretary T.K.A. Nair, to revoke the environmental clearance that was given earlier to the project.
“Many people have spoken to me regarding this project and its deleterious consequences. T.K.A. Nair is one of them. I would like environment committee clearance revoked as soon as possible since I’m very familiar with the project site,” Ramesh had written in an official note.
Abdullah said he has got a “very good reaction” from Ramesh about the project and “we are going to do it very quickly.”
“We are going to fast forward the initiative,” the minister said.
Ramesh had said that his ministry could cancel the environment clearance if it did not meet the laws.