New Delhi: National Green Tribunal has warned the AP government chief secretary that he would have to go to jail if the complaint that the works on Rayalaseem Lift Irrigation projects are being carried out in violation of the decision it had earlier given. One Gavinolla Srinivas of Narayanpet district had filed a petition with the NGT complaining that works have been going on at Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation project intended to increase the flows from Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme. Mathuri Reddy appearing on behalf of Andhra Pradesh government said that she is not aware of any works going on at the site. She said she would get back with information if two weeks time is granted. “Why do you need two weeks to say that no work is going on?” asked NGT bench consisting of Justice K. Ramakrishnan and expert member of the NGT Satya Gopal. Mathuri Reddy asked if the Telangana government has not been violating orders of the Tribunal. The bench asked her to confine to this case and not talk things which are not pertaining to this case.
Shravan, advocate appearing for the petitioner, has said that works have been going on. The Telangana Advocate General J Ramachander Rao said works have been going on at the project in violation of the NGT order. He showed the photos taken from the site. He also asked why should the AP government write to the Union Environment Ministry stating that no environment clearance is required for the project after NGT specifically told that environment clearance is a must.
The bench has warned the chief secretary of Government of Andhra Pradesh that he would be sent to jail if the complaint is proved right. It said it applies equally to the government of Telangana also. Whoever violated the orders of the NGT will be taken to task. It asked the Krishna Water Board and the local office of the National Green Tribunal to submit report regarding the status of the Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project.
