Naveen for reformulation of Polavaram project

Bhubaneswar, Aug 7 (UNI) Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today demanded that the Andhra Pradesh government should reformulate the Polavaram multi purpose project to prevent the submergence of areas within Orissa.

Taking exception to the Andhra Pradesh government's decision to implement the project, Mr Patnaik appealed to the members of the state Assembly to rise above the party lines and adopt a resolution urging the centre to revoke the environmental clearance to the project.

The Chief Minister said it was surprising that the Ministry of Environment and Forest has gone ahead and granted environmental clearance to the project on October 25, 2005.

The matter was taken up with the Environment Minister by him to revoke the clearance as it has been issued in violation of the provision of EIA notification 1994.

The Chief Minister was replying to an official motion brought by the government Chiefwhip expressing concern over the Polavaram project being implemented by the Andhra Pradesh government.

Members cutting across the party lines expressed their concern over the project and adopted an unanimous resolution as proposed by the Chief Minister, authorising the government to take up the matter at the appropriate forum.

Mr Patnaik said the project if implemented would submerge a substantial area of Malkangiri district as furnished by the Andhra Pradesh government.

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