CM to Centre: not possible to conduct public hearing in other states

The state government is trying to clarify on the controversy created by Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh recently that the it had not held public hearings in Orissa and Chhattisgarh on Polavaram project.

Chief Minister K Rosaiah made it clear at the Secretariat on Wednesday that he would write to the Union Environment Minister and clarify the position of the state on the issue.

Speaking to a crowded presspersons today, the Chief Minister said that he had tried to contact the Union Minister twice on the phone in an attempt to personally put the record straight but Mr Ramesh was not available on phone.

"I will be writing to him," Mr Rosaiah said.

When a scribe pointed out that the Union Environment Minister had raised objection to the state government not conducting public hearings in Orissa and Chhattisgarh, Mr Rosaiah shot back, “public opinion in other states?." The obvious inference of Mr Rosaiah’s sharp response was that it is not possible to conduct such a survey.

The Chief Minister made it further clear that suitable measures have already been taken in respect of areas likely to be submerged due to the Rs 9000 crore Polavaram Irrigation Project.

Stating that the environmental clearance had already been obtained for the project, Mr Rosaiah said that he would also urge the Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union Water Resources Minister Bansal and other ministers concerned to do the needful.

"I am confident that Soniajhi would come to the aid of AP,” he said.

As regards the Pranahitha-Chevella project, the Chiefr Minister said that clearances are yet to come.

Once the clearances are received the project works will start, he said.