March 2, 2016
India

Felling of trees by wind energy outfits to be probed

By OUR STAFF REPORTER | Free Press Journal | Mar 01, 2016 | www.freepressjournal.in

BHOPAL : Minister for Energy Rajendra Shukla, on Monday, announced the constitution of a committee to ensure restoration of roads damaged by wind power generating companies and to probe acquisition of land by them.

He made the announcement while replying to the debate on a call-attention motion in Vidhan Sabha on Monday.

The Minister also clarified that no tree on forest land was felled by any wind power generating company. He said that and as far as trees on private land were concerned, it was up to the revenue department to deal with it.

BJP MLA Yashpal Singh Sisodia had tabled the motion, saying that wind power generating companies were acquiring land of farmers forcibly or at throwaway prices and were felling trees to erect windmills and for building approach roads.

Sisodia also said that despite repeated reminders, officials of PWD, Energy, revenue and rural development had taken no action so far. He demanded adequate compensation to farmers and immediate repair of the damaged roads.

Congress MLA (Suwasra) Hardeep Singh Dung also joined the discussion stating that the companies had acquired the ponds and Nistar land in the villages and that immediate action was needed.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2016/03/02/felling-of-trees-by-wind-energy-outfits-to-be-probed/