NEW DELHI : The Parliamentary Committee on Science, Technology, Environment and Forests, has sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention in asking the Environment and Forests Ministry to put on hold the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2005 till such time a "thorough and meaningful consultation process is completed."

In a letter to Dr. Singh, P.G. Narayanan, MP and committee chairman, said that he was "shocked" to learn that the Ministry has been working on redrafting this critical notification for over a year now.

Consequences

"Unfortunately no consultation has been sought with the Parliamentary Standing Committee. I am deeply worried by the far-reaching consequences of the proposed notification as it undermines the federal character of our polity, given that the finalisation is driven merely by the concerns of Industry Associations, at the neglect of States."

The States had to be consulted and their views sought before major changes were effected before finalising the proposed revision of the notification, the letter said. "Also, we need to appreciate the widespread concerns of the people of India who have sought our intervention in ensuring this draft notification is issued only after meaningful consultations."

Another member, Ramji Lal Suman, has also written to Dr. Singh pointing out that "it is a matter of great concern that the Parliament, Standing Committees and the people of India have not been taken into confidence in proposing this notification which has serious implications on our environmental security. This indicates that suggestions of certain industry associations are being incorporated to promote their profits."

S. Ramadoss of the Pattali Makkal Katchi has written to Union Environment and Forests Minister A. Raja stating that "the EIA Notification will have a bearing on the lives and livelihoods of millions of already marginalised communities such as small and marginal farmers, Dalits, Adivasis and fisherfolk. It could aggravate the problem of "development-induced" displacement and lead to widespread outrage among communities."

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