[sustran] FW: update on angalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project iss ue

[Paul Barter]

-----Original Message-----
From: Environment Support Group [mailto:esg at bgl.vsnl.net.in]
Sent: Thursday, 4 October 2001 5:38
To: sustran at po.jaring.my
Subject: NHRC directs review by Karnataka Chief Secretary on Human
Rights Violations in BMIC Public Hearings


Dear Friends,

India's National Human Rights Commission  has issued a directive to the
Karnataka 
Chief Secretary to take "appropriate" action on human rights violations
during 
the Environmental Public Hearings held as part of the clearance process of
the 
Bangalore Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project.  The project is presently
estimated 
to cost over Rs. 4,000 crores or approx. US$ 1 billion, and involves the
construction 
of five major cities and an Expressway between Bangalore and Mysore cities.

You will recall, that during July 2000 there was widespread condemnation of
the 
Karnataka Government's selective and brutal arrests of citizens and
representatives 
of civil society groups who demanded access to social, environmental and
techno-economic 
information on this massive project in order that the Hearings held were
meaningful 
exercises.  ESG initiated a letter campaign to the Chief Minister of
Karnataka 
and as a result of the combined pressure Mr. Krishna assured that an enquiry

into the incident would be conducted.  The enquiry was never initiated
however, 
and we then appealed to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).  The
present 
directive is a result of this process.

The Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests appeared convinced that the
Hearings 
had not been held fairly.  Aware of the NHRC review underway, it had even
publicly 
acknowledged that it would perhaps not accord environmental clearance to the

project under the circumstances.  The Ministry however, did an volte face on

this commitment and during August this year extended a conditional
environmental 
clearance to the project.  Curiously the clearance applied only to the
Expressway 
component, a small part of the BMIC Project. The Ministry thus shirked its
responsibility 
in reviewing the wider impacts such as displacement from over 170 villages
and 
the widespread environmental impacts of the townships proposed.  

Ironically the attack on citizens participating in Statutory Public Hearings

was at a time when the Karnataka Government was projecting itself as an
adminstration 
that values transparency and was even holding consultations towards
legislating 
the Right to Information Act.  If there was an opportunity to demonstrate
the 
State's intentions of ensuring transparency in decision making, it was in
conceding 
the just demand of citizens across Bangalore, Mandya and Mysore districts to

access information on the project.  Having thus failed, the Government
stands 
exposed as regards its sincere commitment to ensuring transparency.


The NHRC directive now provides both the State and Central Governments an
opportunity 
to support fair and full discussion on this Project by holding the Statutory

Public Hearings again.  Not only would this help set right the grave wrongs
committed, 
but would even demonstrated the Government's true commitment to ensuring
transparency 
in decision making.  Our appeal to the Chief Secretary of Karnataka in this
regard, 
along with a Press Release on the matter, is enclosed.   

Meanwhile the campaign demanding the BMIC Project be scrapped, led by the
Karnataka 
Vimochana Ranga initiated BMIC Virodhi Okkoota (BMIC Opposition Federation),

is gaining momentum.  To demonstrate wide public support to this demand, a
"Bundh" 
(Public Strike) of Mandya city has been called on 6th October to protest
against 
the continuing support of the Government to this highly controversial and
questionable 
project.  

Your continuing support and interest in this campaign is highly valued by
all 
and we thank you for your cooperation and support.

Best regards


Leo F. Saldanha
Coordinator
Environment Support Group

PS:  More details about the Project, its impacts and the ongoing Campaign
against 
the BMIC project please visit:
<http://www.indiatogether.org/campaigns/bmic>.

....
(long supporting documentation snipped)