No immediate legislation on women entry in Sabarimala, says centre

NEW DELHI: The centre informed that there is no immediate legislation on women entry in Sabarimala. A legislation will not be brought to overrule the Supreme Court verdict in protecting the rituals of Sabarimala. Union Minister Ravishankar Prasad clarified the stand while replying to the question of Shashi Tharoor MP.

He gave in writing that there is no immediate legislation when asked whether the government is planning for any legislation to bypass Supreme Court’s verdict permitting women of all ages to enter Sabarimala.

The issue is under the consideration of the Supreme Court and after the Supreme Court pronounces the verdict on the review plea, steps will be taken, the minister clarified.

Kasturirangan report will be implemented, says centre

NEW DELHI: Ministry of Environment & Forests affidavit to green tribunal made it clear that the Kasturirangan report on conservation of Western Ghats will be implemented. The affidavit states that the current protests are due to misunderstanding and is not taken seriously.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had claimed earlier that the centre had assured not to implement the report as such. The centre has filed an affidavit now violating the given assurance.

The procedural measures on the draft notification in connection with the bifurcation of ecologically fragile areas over the conservation of Western Ghats are in the last stages. The ministry in their affidavit has mentioned that talks with law ministry are going on.

The tribunal has directed states with Western Ghats and Goan Foundation to inform their response within three weeks.