CMs question Centre’s role in environment nod

The chief ministers were participating in a discussion at the World Economic Forum’s India Economic Summit on ‘The New Role of States: Catalysts for Growth’,moderated by The Indian Express Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta.

Just a week after the centre prevailed upon the government of Maharashtra to file a criminal case against Lavasa Corporation for allegedly violating environmental laws,Chavan said: “Whether environmental clearances for industrial projects should be given by state governments or the Centre is a debate we should have.” But Chavan also said that “states have had a poor track record in protecting the environment,especially in mining projects where state governments get royalties”.

Calling the 5-hectare limit for size of projects that can be given a go-ahead at the state government level inadequate,Chouhan said getting clearances from the Centre is too often a near-impossible task. “The coal blocks and the go-no-go policy have caused a critical delay in power projects because coal is not available. We have irrigation projects stuck for nearly 20 years on account of not getting Forest Department clearances,” he said.

Chandy talked of the Athirapally hydro-electric power project on Chalakudy river awaiting clearances since the earlier LDF government pushed for it. “There is some ground,no doubt,but the Centre has been adamant about it,” Chandy said.

Agreeing that the focus had shifted from the Centre to the states in terms of investments and opportunity,the chief ministers were also unanimous that sharing of best practices and policy innovations would be key to future growth,even while promoting the new competitiveness among states.

The discussion saw opinions being expressed on decentralisation of power to the district level,assistance and quick responses from the Centre to states’ grievances,putting economic considerations ahead of political compulsions as well as the growing self-assuredness of states.

Gupta said chief ministers had grown in power over the years,and that the country’s continued 7 per cent growth while parts of the developed world are on the brink of another economic crisis owes,in large part,to the states’ successes.

On chief ministers who deliver economic growth being voted back to power,he said between 1989 and 1998,77.5 per cent of all state governments were replaced in an anti-incumbency trend,one that has seen a complete reversal over the years. “This is a positive change in Indian politics,” he said,adding that this has enabled long-term planning and implementation.

Agreeing that there are political benefits in ensuring economic opportunity for citizens,the three chief ministers also mentioned various initiatives to adopt innovations from other states.

Chouhan described his efforts to convey to all chief ministers the success of Madhya Pradesh’s Public Service Delivery Guarantee Act,while Chandy said he sent a team to Andhra Pradesh soon after assuming ofifce to study the Arogyashri health insurance scheme. He said Kerala is also keen to replicate the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor from Kochi to Coimbatore.

Even as Chavan declined to admit that Gujarat may have advanced ahead of Maharashtra in terms of industrial development and investments,he said state government officials are studying a Gujarat scheme of water conservation through building farm ponds for possible replication in Maharashtra. “We are completely open to even ideas from BJP-ruled states,” Chavan said.