Nexus between politicians and contractors exist: Medha Patkar

Puducherry, May 18 (UNI) Enviornmentalist Medha Patkar alleged here that there was a trend of establishing a nexus between political leaders and contractors, which was adversly affecting the common man.

Adressing a public meeting last night in connection with the controversial port development project, Ms Patkar pointed out that any developmental works should not cause misery on dislocation, but it should take into acciounts ecological and social aspects of human life.

She said the port development project would cause extensive dislocation and the whole project was a threat to peace and social heritage of Puducherry. All lands handed over to the private builders should be taken back and the administration should be answerable to the public, she said and demanded that all the cases registered against the agitators should be withdrawan.

She appealed to all the political parties, NGOs and others to stand united and carry forward the current struggle against the port development project.

She also disputed the claim of the Puducherry administration that the port project would offer employment. The old harbour was not fully utilised and had not measured up to the expectations of the people. Hence, any claim of employment could not be justified, she said.

UNI