Govt nod to Posco project "glaring violation of law" : CPI

New Delhi, Feb 3 (PTI) CPI today termed EnvironmentMinistry''s clearance to Posco''s steel project in Orissa as a"glaring violation of law and justice" and a move that"legitimises land grabbing."

"The government enacts laws and frames policies thatit claims will benefit the people, and then goes on to tearthem to shreds in order to favour multinationals," CPINational Secretary D Raja said in a letter to Prime MinisterManmohan Singh while referring to the ministry''s nod to theSouth Korean major''s project.

Expressing shock over the decision in favour of theUSD 12 billion project, the CPI MP said, "Much is being madeof the imposition of 60 conditions, but this does not changethe fact that neither the environment clearance nor the forestclearance for this project is in accordance with law."

He said "the rhetoric" of Environment Minister JairamRamesh "soars ever higher even as his actions stoop everlower."

"Is it any surprise that more and more people, andmany adivasis and forest dwellers of this country inparticular, have reached the conclusion that the governmenttoday is nothing but one working for the corporates," Rajaasked.

People in the project area have a claim over the landand it cannot be handed over to the project, he said, addingthat the ministry''s go-ahead to it "legitimises landgrabbing."

Referring to the findings of various committees set upby the government that there are traditional forest dwellersand forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes in the project area, Rajasaid, January 31, 2011-- the day green clearance was given tothe project-- will go down as a watershed moment in thehistory of the country''s natural resources.

"It marks a glaring example of how UPA-II hasforgotten that it was elected to power by the people and sworeto serve the Constitution and the laws of the land. Today itbrazenly seeks to pander to the interests of other countriesand multinational companies," Raja said.

"This is a dire and dangerous trend that must bestopped at any cost," he added.