The editorial, ‘Greener development' ( Business Line , January 20) brings out the promoters' dilemma. There exists some kind of confusion on the authority of pre-bid environmental clearances, which are later challenged. Stalling of ongoing projects does not bring glory to the reforms agenda and it may end up putting the development process in the dock.

At the same time, there can be no material compromise on the environmental balance across the country. But here, the regulations should be quite transparent, sans any hidden agenda. It is greatly encouraging to note that Mr Jairam Ramesh attributes paramount importance to the ecological balance. In fact, he has highlighted the Environment Ministry's relevance and brought it to the forefront.

A country which expects considerable growth cannot go forward unilaterally. All the core issues need to be addressed simultaneously. The companies that got environmental clearances from State governments may go ahead by infusing huge capital. If roadblocks appear subsequently, the whole effort my go futile and this may put off investors in the pipeline from investing in India, while the rest of the world gives them a red-carpet welcome.

Hot debates and arguments alone cannot be translated into ground-level projects. It requires sacrifices and compromises. The Government must come clean on the environmental position, even while talking big on investment inflows. If environmental protection gets elevated to the top of the agenda, let development in the relative sectors such as mining or real estate development be set aside for the time being. Let transparency and determination to find mutually beneficial solutions be given priority in any development project.

C. P. Velayudhan Nair

Kochi

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