“Make in India” PM & ” Made in Singapore” Amaravati

A section intellectuals from Andhra Pradesh feel that It is inappropriate for Prime Minister Modi to attend a attend a program being at a place which is ecologically sensitive and sub judice. The National Green Tribunal asked the government not to take any earth work related to capital construction before getting environmental clearance. Noted Kannda-Telugu scholar and advocate Kuradi Chandrasekhar Kalkura also asks PM Modi not to set a wrong precedent by attending inauguration of a project which in his view is ill conceived.

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Attitude and approach of Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh is the reverse of: “Part wisdom from here to a wise one there. ” “NGT Halts work at Amaravati – Green nod must for even leveling ground.”. But “No problem with NGT Notice: A.P., CM.”

It may look too harsh to call our C.M. a fascist. Hitler came to power with the help of the Ballot; wanted to be world ruler through the barrel of the Gun; bullet. Babu too got the mandate of the people; claims as the ‘First CEO’ of the State. Now it is apparent he is the only one. It may branded unfair to draw a parallel with the Jinnah who said: “With, without or in spite of Gandhi and Congress, Pakistan is going to be achieved.” But “Nero was fiddling while Rome is burning” may be apt. South West Monsoon has completely failed in A.P. and in all the catchment of all the rivers those flow through A.P. Farmers have forgotten about Kariff season. There have been spate of suicides by the farmers. Drinking has been a problem in a majority of the villages. Exploring livelihood, farmers are migrating. It is left in the lurch; occasionally to be referred to by the Ministers. But not an hour passes without our C.M. making a reference to AMARAVATI. Now Babu is throwing aside all the scientific reasons and sane advices. He is bent upon constructing the Capital at Amaravati.

The very fact that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken cognizance, is a reason for postponing the event scheduled for22nd Oct.2015. NGT Act, 2010 is an Act of the Parliament of India which enables creation of a special tribunal to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues. It was enacted under India’s constitutional provision of Article 21, which assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment. The preamble of the Act reads: “An Act to provide for the establishment of a National Green Tribunal for the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto”.

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EAS Sarma, a former bureaucrat and a respected one, both while in service as well as after retirement has addressed a letter to the PMO: “I feel that the PMO should think twice before going ahead with the inauguration of new Capital.” Sarma is endowed with abundance of experience in the field of environment and associated with the formation of Chattisgarh, Jarkhand and Uttarakhand has addressed a letter to the PMO. A full text of the letter was published in these columns. Here is the link.

Every syllable and word in the letter is worth memorized by the all the stake holders. History of Amaravati is more than two thousands of years old. Right from the birth of the Civilization till the dawn of the 19th Century, rulers all over the world, including Britishers in India had selected ports and river banks only. Because waterways was the only major means of transportation. So Sarma says: “In these days of advanced digital, satellite communication systems, to concentrate construction activity for a large capital city in one place is uneconomical.” Sarma reiterates courageously the voice of Siivaramakrishnan Committee. “The only beneficiaries of the project would be the real estate developers!” Except the beneficiaries, the discontentment among the cross section of the people of the State is looming large; particularly in Rayalaseema Region. There is no enthusiasm. Response to the proposed ten days programme and response “mana matti; mana neeru, mana Rajadhani” is lukewarm. I wish all the intellectual in Rayalaseema keep away from the programme in the Rayalaseema districts. The mood which has been undercurrent and confined to few organisations and individuals all these has of late, not only surfaced but spread far and wide. Osmania University was the hot bed and centre of the Telangana Agitation. The University Students in Rayalaseema are gearing up in arms against the discrimination. In this context Sarma’s observation: “Many of us feel that, had the AP CM consulted the people of the State, he would have been wiser in taking a decision on the formation of the capital.” is worth considering. A dumb people and a deaf Government does not make Democracy.” said Rajaji. Intellectual betrayal is the greatest curse on our democracy. There are many more who have studied from close quarter and are acquainted with the affairs of Andhra Pradesh. “As a person resident at Visakhapatnam and familiar with the finances of the Centre and the States, I thought that I should bring these aspects to the notice of Shri Narendra Modi so that he may take a prudent decision on whether to go ahead with the inauguration or defer it.” Sarma is right. It is not the first time that Sarma is raising his voice. A noted environmentalist, he has been vocal through his retired life. He addressed a letter to the Chief Secretary on March, 13, 2015: Capital City project- A real estate scam in the making. He expressed “shock, on Sept.4, 2015 over the proposal to acquire 4,763 acres in six villages in Vajrapukothuru and Santhabommali Mandals in Srikakulam District (AP) for setting up a private port near Bhavanapadu.”

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The biggest blunder committed by Naidu is launching the Capital City Project. He was elected to concentrate on toning up of the administration, on the lines of the Report of the Sivaramakrishnan Committee. A satisfied people would have been more happy to elect him again in 2019. Then it would have easier for him to elect and build the Capital. There would have been no objection for the selection, wherever it is. But Naidu has unshakable faith and more confidence in his astrologers and Vastu experts than the people.

Now the ball is in the Court of Modi. Apart from many infirmities and contradictions in the proposed Capital Project, it is purely ‘Singapore Model’. Will it be proper for a ‘Make in India’ P.M. to lay the foundation? If the P.M. and the C.M. discard the Constitutional provisions, it will be like: “Fence eating away the crops; mother poisoning the child and the Creator Himself becoming the Destructor.” There are many more burning issues which require his imminent and immediate attention more than the construction of the Capital. There more than eight years time. Naidu shall summon courage to be in Hyderabad. Escapism and running away from responsibilities are the faiths of the timid and cowards. Veera bhogya vasundhara.”