Dubious conduct

Sir — This refers to the article, “Development must be democratic too” (January 16) by Claude Arpi. The writer has hit the nail on the head by emphasising on the need to keep local people and issues in focus while deciding on projects that have a bearing on the environment. 

The decision-making process should be transparent and inclusive, so that the local population, which is likely to be affected by a project, can be taken into confidence. The cost-benefit analysis of the project should also be explained to 

the people.

This cannot be expected from the proponents of the project as they are an interested party. It is often seen that the Government agency, which is supposed to act in a transparent and impartial manner during public hearings, forgets its role and conducts itself as an agent of the promoters of the project. This causes resentment, creates bad blood among the locals and results in a spate of court cases and consequent delays. 

The conduct of former Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan is blameworthy, as she kept many infrastructure and development projects pending for long. But the sudden clearances that her successor Veerappa Moily has given also raise suspicions. One wonders what has prompted him, or forced him, to clear files at such lightening speed.