When the hearing on suspension of environmental clearance for Posco project is going on in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and stay order for cutting trees continues, the announcement of starting construction for the project by the Ambassador of Korea and the Chief Minister is nothing but to dishonor the rule of law as well as international human rights law, said lok Shakti Abhiyan president Prafulla Samantara.
Recently the United Nations’ human rights experts had urged the Government not to proceed with the project.
The Posco would withdraw 10 million gallons of water from the Mahanadi everyday which may violate right to water of people of the twin city, added the report. Even the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had directed to find out alternative source of water for the project, said Samantara.
The activist alleged that the company has not renewed its MoU yet and has not submitted the number of real employment also.
Till now, the company has no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on 12 million tonnes steel plant where as it has produced a report only for production of four million tonnes which is a fraud, the activist exposed, adding, “The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests said before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) that Posco did not provide necessary documents on the said matter.”
Again the process of allotment of mining has not started yet and it would not be possible to allow mining at Khandadhar where primitive tribal groups like Paudi Bhuyans are living, said Samantara.