The Gir Forest in Gujarat, home to the Asiatic Lion, is considered to be one
of the most important protected areas in Asia
Charges State, Central govts with impropriety, conflict of interest
New Delhi, February 8:
The Congress continued its attack on
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel
on the issue of an alleged land deal favouring the latter’s family
members.
Party spokesperson Manish Tewari said Modi
and Patel are silent on the questions posed by the Congress on the land
deal. “Unfortunately, the silence of both the Prime Minister and the
Chief Minister of Gujarat has been deafening. Over the last two days,
certain new facts have emerged that make the charge of gross impropriety
and conflict of interest far, far more dynamic,” he said, maintaining
that since environment is a Concurrent subject, both the State and
Central governments should respond.
“On 1 July 2015,
the government of Gujarat issues a notification. Rather than protecting
the Asiatic Lion and the Gir Forest, it decides to bring down the
permissible limit of construction from two kilometres to one kilometre.
So, therefore, the question which arises is, is this customisation of
policy taking place and for whose benefit? Who is benefitting by the
flagrant violation of the Environment Protection Act and the Wildlife
Act and Prime Minister, if this is not corruption, then would you care
to explain to the country, as to what exactly is this?” Tewari said.
Reiterating
the Congress’ demand for a court-monitored probe into the matter,
Tewari said not only had government land been given at a throwaway price
to private players, but more importantly, the Environment Projection
Act, The Wildlife Act, The Gir Forest Sanctuary have been violated with
impunity.
Demands probe
“So, under those
circumstances we would once again like to reiterate that the Prime
Minister should clarify and the Supreme Court should take suo moto
cognizance and have an independent investigation into the whole affair,”
he demanded.
When asked why the UPA government took
no action between 2010 and 2014 on the alleged malpractices, he said
nothing had occurred between 2010 and 2015 that warranted interference.
“It all fell into place in 2015 when this government decides to lower
the limit to one kilometre,” he said.
“Here is a Prime Minister who had told the whole country ‘Na khata hoon aur na khane deta hoon’, and then when issues are raised, all that you have met with is deafening silence,” Tewari said.
(This article was published on February 8, 2016)
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