CBI must probe Raja’s role in Posco clearance, say activists by Priscilla Jebaraj

While A. Raja’s alleged shenanigans in the Telecom Ministry have been grabbing all the headlines, some activists are now urging the CBI to focus its spotlight on the tainted DMK leader’s earlier role as Environment Minister. For example, Mr. Raja granted Korean steel giant Posco its first major statutory clearance in 2007 by approving the captive port component of its controversial Rs. 52,000 crore steel plant project in Orissa. Interestingly, he granted the clearance just one day before he moved from the Environment to the Telecom Ministry.

On Monday, a wide range of environmental and human rights groups, protesting the Posco project, alleged that Mr. Raja granted the clearance “without any review and also in response to severe pressure from then Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.”

In a statement, they demanded that “the Central Bureau of Investigation immediately expand the scope of its ongoing investigations against A. Raja by reviewing his role in the Posco clearances and that of all those who have been involved in illegally promoting this scandalous project, possibly including the then Finance Minister and presently the Home Minister, P. Chidambaram.” Investigations by government-appointed committees have documented the pressure put by the Finance Ministry to secure the clearance for Posco. They also alleged that the clearances granted by Mr. Raja and his successors to Posco violated the law and recommended withdrawal of these approvals. Despite such recommendations, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh decided to approve the project’s clearances.

Terming the Posco project as a “legalised loot of our natural resources,” the activists alleged that the government was endorsing foreign profiteers by allowing Posco to export 30 per cent of the 600 million tonnes of Indian iron ore it will mine on a 30 year lease to Korea. The statement was issued by the National Alliance of People’s Movements, Campaign for Survival and Dignity, Environment Support Group, National Forum of Forest People and Forest Workers, Delhi Solidarity Group, All India Progressive Women’s Association and All India Students’ Association.