The Times of India, Print Edition, Mysore
Monday, April 14, 2008
Page 3 Licence has expired : Mysore Grahakara Parishat or MGP Battle For Chamalapura
Times News Network or TNN
Mysore: The Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has sought an explanation from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) on alleged dodging of licence procedures for the thermal power project at Chamalapura.
According to the MGP, the MoEF had issued a licence in 1998 to Mysore Power Generation Private Ltd for construction of 500 MW thermal plant.
The licence was issued under a notification of 1994 that calls for Environmental Impact Assessment or EIA.
According to this notification the application seeking the license has to accompany a project report that necessarily included the Environmental Impact Assessment report, environment management plan and details of public hearing on the project.
“But we do not recall any public hearing being conducted on this issue earlier and in such circumstances. How was the license issued? Did the ministry bypass the rules then?” the MGP sought to know.
When MGP member Syed Tanveeruddin wrote to the ministry seeking details of the project in February 2008, he got a reply along with a copy of the licence.
According to the reply, the MoEF had cleared the project in 1998 and awarded the work to Mysore Power Generation Private Ltd for construction of two 250 MW plants at Chamalapura.
“The / This licence was valid for five years and hence it has expired now,” he said.The licence does not mention the details required under the 1994 notification.
Also, none recalls any public hearing on the issue.
This raises questions about the ministry’s role, the MGP stated in a press release.
“Will the ministry bypass the rules for the present proposal also?” it asked.