Denial of nod for study improper: Joseph

Minister for Irrigation and Water Resources P J Joseph has said that the denial of permission by officials of the Forest Department, for a study on the environmental impacts of Mullaperiyar dam, was improper.

Although the decision to entrust Prakruthi Lands and Consultancy to conduct the survey was taken after discussing it with the Chief Minister and the Forest Minister, the Forest Department officials denied permission for the consultancy officials to enter the forest, Joseph said. He was speaking to reporters here on Monday.

“The forest officials have shown over-commitment regarding the issue, which was not right. The consultancy needed a year for conducting the study and they need to visit the place before the agreement can be signed. But, when they reached the place on July 19, the forest officials did not allow them to enter. I have already brought this to the attention of the CM,” the minister said.

He added that he does not want to trigger panic on the Mullaperiyar issue, but was just revealing the facts, based on the study reports filed at Delhi and Roorkee IITs. When asked about seeking a CBI inquiry into the Nelliampathy issue, he said the facts about the controversy should be brought out, irrespective of which agency conducted the inquiry. “An inquiry by the CBI will be a better choice. However, terms of references of the inquiry will be decided by the UDF,” he said.

He refused to further comment on the Nelliampathy issue saying that it is under the consideration of the UDF committee.

He also said that P C George should keep composure and controversies should be avoided as far as possible.