Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is a subdued man these days especially to the Center even when BJP is repeatedly insulting him and the state. But there is reportedly a good reason behind that as we are told that the Center will pull the strings for the environmental clearances for Amaravati.
The environment ministry has formed an expert panel to examine the state government’s master plan for the capital after several environmental concerns were raised over the project pushing the project into a potential roadblock.
The proposal for the diversion of 13,377 hectares of forest land in favour of the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region Development Authority (APCRDA) to develop infrastructure for Amravati was first submitted in October 2015 to the forest advisory committee (FAC), of the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) but has not received forest clearance yet.
TDP sources say the Center is delaying the necessary approvals only to rein Naidu and ensure that he plays to their tune. If at all Naidu expresses his dissent with the Center, Amaravati Proposals will be rejected. FAC is the nodal body under the Forest Conservation Act 1980 which recommends or rejects proposals for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes like mining and infrastructure development.
