Nagpur, Oct 26 (PTI) Maharashtra Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday slammed the state government over the “clearing of forest” for a power project in Bhimashankar area in Raigad district to benefit “entrepreneurs from Gujarat” instead of considering alternative barren land.
The destruction of forest land in this manner will damage biodiversity and disturb ecological balance, he told reporters.
“This area is home to wildlife, including the Indian giant squirrel, locally known as shekru. The area is also the source of several rivers. The forest is being cleared for an industrial project benefiting entrepreneurs from Gujarat,” he claimed.
Questioning the government’s plan to plant 90,000 trees as compensation, the Congress Legislature Party leader asked whether the new plantation could immediately replace the old forest and its biodiversity.
The Congress would launch a protest against the proposed tree felling, he added.
Torrent Power has defended its proposed 3,000-megawatt pumped storage project against environmental concerns, saying it is located about 16 km from Bhimashankar Wildlife Sanctuary and that all its components fall outside the sanctuary and its eco-sensitive zone.
Speaking on the death of a farmer in Nanded, Wadettiwar said a microfinance company’s recovery agents were responsible for the incident, but police initially tried to suppress the case.
Farmer Chandrakant Shinde (40), who had allegedly borrowed Rs 10,000 from private finance company KF Enterprises, was found hanging inside its office on Saturday, following which police detained three persons for murder, kidnapping and wrongful confinement.
“Microfinance companies in Maharashtra charge interest rates of 12 to 14 per cent on cash loans given to needy farmers. Then their recovery agents used coercive methods. While farmer suicides are rising in the state, agents of such companies are further endangering farmers’ lives,” Wadettiwar said.
He called on people to collectively beat up recovery agents if they were spotted in their villages.
Speaking about the Congress’ ‘Desh Bachao, Vote Bachao’ rally on November at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, he said the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee had appointed representatives for the agitation and was holding meetings across the state to mobilise public support.
Targeting the BJP over alleged vote theft, Wadettiwar said the agitation was important to protect voters’ rights. He alleged that attempts were being made to oppose the rally in the name of traders in Delhi.
The Congress is presenting evidence to support its position on voters’ rights, Wadettiwar added.
He also criticised the expenditure on preparations for the Winter Session of the Maharashtra Legislature in Nagpur.
Substantial amounts were being spent on painting old walls, installing new curtains and other decorative work, he alleged.
He said contractors were awaiting payments and some were facing severe financial difficulties, questioning the need for “unnecessary expenditure”.
“The state government should hold the session after carrying out essential cleaning and by avoiding unnecessary expenses. Greater attention should be paid to farmers amid continuing suicides,” he said.
Reacting to the controversy over remarks by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Wadettiwar said BJP leaders should reflect on their own past statements before criticising the opposition.
He questioned whether BJP leaders remember remarks made by the party’s leaders about former prime ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi, as well as Sonia Gandhi.
The BJP must clarify its stand on those earlier instances, he added.
Wadettiwar expressed concern over tiger attacks in Chamorshi and Chimur areas, and called on the government and forest department to take the incidents seriously.
“Protecting human life is the government’s responsibility. Forest destruction is contributing to growing conflict between humans and wildlife,” he said.
He demanded concrete measures, including appropriate management of tigers that attack humans, their safe relocation wherever necessary and effective protection for residents.
Wadettiwar also warned that preparations were underway for a major public agitation against the forest department over the issue. PTI MR BNM
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