Mangaluru: “I am part of Government; any minister should not be hypocritical”, said Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology and DK District In charge Minister Ramanath Rai addressing a umpteen debates that arose during a press meet on Monday, September 14.
When the bombarding journalists, during the meeting, raised questions against his stand over the Yettinahole project, Rai merely said, “I am government, the government’s stand is my stand.”
Explaining the details, Rai said, “For the proposed project we were asked for 13.92 hectares of forest land at Shakleshpur area and we are giving clearance. This forest land is not a big question here compared to Varahi project, and this project has got less impact”, he stated.
“Kolar, Bengaluru rural, Chikballapur area and people from other region also need water and want this project to happen”, Rai stressed. On the impact on Forest and Environment – the environment minister said that a study still needs to be done.
When questions were raised as to why no public meeting/ discussion were held even after Chief Minister advised, Rai gave a vague reply as pushed the issue, saying that the meeting needs to be conducted. However, he made countering statements and said that the road expansion, tunnel construction at NHAI in Western Ghats also need Western Ghats forest land however no one speaking against it, said Rai.
When asked about his stand as a District In-charge Minister to this project he retaliated saying the cabinet and the government has approved the project and as part of the government, ‘I cannot support the protest’. Concluding the meet, the minster denied answering further questions on this issue and diverted the topic by blaming BJP union minister DV Sadananda Gowda, as the project was implemented during his term as CM.
