PALAKKAD: The UDF Government should pressure the Centre to reject the Gadgil committee report on the Athirappilly project and file an appeal against it, former Electricity Minister A K Balan said.Speaking to mediapersons here on Wednesday, Balan said that two Gadgil committee members - Dr Ashokan and Dr Latha - were biased against the Athirappilly project. He said the next target of the committee could be the Pooyamkutty hydro-electric project.If the UDF Government accepted the Gadgil committee report and abandoned the Athirappilly project, it will be unable to implement any hydel power projects exceeding 10 MW in the state.He said , the Pooyamkutty hydel project when planned, was 740 MW. It was subsequently reduced to 240 MW and then to 210 MW. The project has been sent to the Forest Department which will later be referred to the Gadgil committee.The former minister said that he had told the then Environment Minister Jayaram Ramesh during its constitution that the report of the committee would be biased.He said that the Environment and Forests Ministry had cleared the Athirappilly project in 1998, 2005 and 2007. Moreover, under the directions of the Kerala High Court, the public hearing was held twice. Balan said that the expert appraisal committee, which was reconstituted by the ministry had earlier approved the Athirappilly project. It was then that the Gadgil committee was constituted in a hurry.If the Gadgil committee report is accepted, it would disband the expert appraisal committee and other committees, which had given favourable reports.One of the findings of the committee was that the implementation of the Athirappilly project will affect the availability of water. The availability of water has to be decided by the National Water Commission and it had given a favourable report.The other finding of the committee was that the adivasis would be affected. But, there were only 46 Adivasis, who would be absorbed as workers in the project.The other reference was with regard to fish. The Kerala Forest Research Institute (KFRI) has not given any report stating that the fish will be harmed. The Tropical Botancial Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI) had instead given a favourable report.Therefore, the government could approach the court with all the favourable reports and secure the clearance of the Athirappilly project.
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