Investments in power sector disturbing environ balance: Choubey

Alleges that govt was working as puppet in the hands industrialists  

Raipur, October 03, 2011 

Holding to government responsible for environmental disturbance, leader of opposition at Vidhan Sabha Ravindra Choubey on Monday said excessive investment in power sector was the major reason for rising pollution across the state. He alleged that the government had become puppet in the hands of industrialists.

Pointing towards the power plant unit being established by one GMR Limited near capital city, Choubey said the company was enjoying support of top officials of Mantralaya as well as local administration, an apparent indicator that the government machinery too is working as its agent.

“It is surprising that the government had acquired those lands for the company which were reserved for ponds, roads, nursery and provision of other basic facilities to the locals,” he said.

He claimed that the government also ignored about 550 hectares of reserved forest area in stretching villages Mohrenga and Khoulidabri, some ten kilometers away from the place where GMR is establishing its power plant.

Choubey further charged that the information provided by GMR regarding residual production like fly ash was also wrong and it could happen due to support of officials of the Environment department. “The GMR power plant would actually produce about 40 lakh tonne fly ash with its unit having capacity of 1330 MW but it informed that only 10 lakh tonne fly residual ash would be emitted,” he said.

“Where will the company dispose of 40 lakh tonne fly ash? Has the government made any plan regarding this along with the company? The facts should come before public,” he said.

“First the government announces that it would not allow further investment in power plant sector in Raipur district because of increased pollution level and scarcity of water in Kharoon and Shivnath rivers and then it gives permission to GMR to setup large power plant unit. This shows how much the corruption has gripped this BJP government,” Choubey said.