Assam: Draft EIA needs to halt in Jati, Mati, Bheti's interest, says Debabrata Saikia

The Leader of the Opposition, Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia criticised against the draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

"We are already affected by the COVID-19 atmosphere. We can't do what we were doing earlier. In that same time, the state government and the Centre is doing against public action through the draft EIA notification given by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change", said Debabrata Saikia.

"We have to set up industry and the conditions required to set them has been loosened up. I already wrote a letter to Prakash Javedekar and the reply I received was not satisfactory. So, I again sent a letter on 23rd July". He also asked the state government to contemplate about accepting the notification. "Assam govt should not accept the law and should even contact Centre because our wildlife like the Dehing Patkai and in Mahargherita are already facing illegal mining. Then there is the Baghjan episode. All these cases have revealed that government permission has not been taken properly. Now, they are bringing a law at the same time that allows the defence industry to breach the eco-sensitive limits. The new factories prior permission have been diluted and this is a chance to destroy the eco-sensitive balance. I have already given a PIL to Gauhati HC. CM Sonowal should take stock of the situation to take care of Jati, Mati and Bheti".

Also read: Assam Congress objects to draft EIA, writes to Environment Ministry

Earlier, the Leader of the Opposition dashed off a letter to the Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar explaining his objections to the draft Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This was the latest in the exchange of letters between the two on the draft EIA.

The Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change had called for suggestions and objections to the draft by August 10^th, 2020, after which it is to be notified.

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