Gujarat SEZs violating environment norms: NGO

Ahmedabad, Jun 4 (UNI) The Centre for Social Justice-Jan Vikas, a Gujarat-based NGO, today decried the failure of the state government to ensure implementation of environmental norms in the various Special Economic Zones being set up in the state.

''Though Gujarat has emerged as the SEZ capital of India, with two SEZs already functional and another ten in the line, various environmental norms are being flouted. The SEZ Act 2005 and Rules 2006 have diluted the Forest, CRZ laws. To obtain evironment clearance is only voluntary, not mandatory. Is it not absurd that the project proponent will decide whether to get environment clearance or not,'' said Mr Mahesh Pandya, programme coordinator of Centre for Social Justice-Jan Vikas, addressing a news conference.

He also alleged that in the SEZs, the government has given optimum powers to the developing authority and in that process the powers of the Panchayati Raj institutions have been marginalised and encroached upon. ''So there will be no local self government,'' he said.

Not just SEZs, many top industry giants like Indian Rayon Ltd, Veraval, Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd, Amreli, many industries of Vatva and Ankleswar are violating conditions stipulated in the Environment Clearance given to them, he pointed out. ''A system of post monitoring should be evolved,'' he demanded.

''We are not against SEZs, but environmental laws should be followed while developing them,'' he stressed.

He urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to expedite the setting up of environment courts in each state to deal with cases related to violation of environment laws.

In a letter to the Prime Minister just before the World Environment Day, being observed tomorrow, Mr Pandya said the Law Commission had in its 186th report recommended setting up of such courts with sitting or retired judges with more than 20 years standing, assisted by a panel.

''A bill should be introduced in the Parliament in this regard to reduce the burden on High Courts and the Supreme Court,'' he said.

Mr Pandya also said land acquired for laying down of pipelines lose their fertility and people are never adequately compensated for and called for amendment in the Petroleum and Mineral Pipeline Act, 1962 to include this clause.

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