The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Pranab finds scope to harmonise development, conservation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 06, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Pranab finds scope to harmonise development, conservation

Special Correspondent

Says Sethusamudram project is a recognition of people's aspirations

HIGHLIGHTING ACHIEVEMENTS: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee releasing the souvenir at a multimedia campaign in Chennai on Thursday. Minister for Shipping and Surface Transport T.R. Baalu (left) and TNCC president G.K. Vasan look on. — Phot o: K.V. Srinivasan

CHENNAI: The United Progressive Alliance Government believes there is no confrontation between development and environmental conservation, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said here on Thursday.

``These are not contradictory to each other. There is scope for harmonising the two,'' he said, inaugurating a four-day multimedia campaign at Meenambakkam to highlight the achievements of the UPA Government.

Alluding to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa's criticism of the Sethusamudram Ship Canal Project from environmental angle, Mr. Mukherjee said: "We are not insensitive. Ours is a party, ours is a government which is extra sensitive, extra careful to the needs of environmental requirements."

A dream

Describing the project as a dream of maritime people of not only Tamil Nadu but also other coastal States, he said it had been taken up, recognising the aspirations of the people for a link between the eastern and western coast.

Allaying apprehensions on the project, he said no national policy should fall prey to ``narrow partisan gains.''

Elaborating on the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Mr. Mukherjee asked how many developing countries had been able to give ``legal right'' to unemployed youth. Within 15 days of submitting application to the nearest panchayat or other government office, employment had been guaranteed to the youth. Initially, the scheme would cover each household in 200 districts.

Right to information

As the UPA Government wanted not just economic growth but also good governance, transparency and people participation, it had enacted the law on right to information.

He said the armed forces had been instructed not to violate human rights.

If charges of rights violation were established, the Government would punish the officers concerned.

He said in the wake of the earthquake in Kashmir, the Armed forces had been advised to render help to people on the other side of the border. The Government had contributed $50 million to Pakistan for rehabilitating the quake victims.

Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R. Baalu gave an account of projects cleared by him for the State, when he held the portfolio of environment and forests in the National Democratic Alliance Government. He said in the UPA regime, too his Ministry was implementing numerous projects for development of the State, investing hundreds of crores of rupees.

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president and MP G.K. Vasan urged people of the State to understand the need for having a State Government that would cooperate with the Centre.

L. Ganesan, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam MP, called upon Mr. Baalu to ensure the completion of the Sethusamudram project.

Later Mr. Mukherjee called on DMK president M. Karunanidhi at his residence.

Responding to a query on whether India would cooperate with Sri Lanka, Mr. Mukherjee told media persons that the Government's policy was not to interfere in military operations of other countries.

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