In a significant development, Ganganagar Member of Parliament Kuldeep Indora held a crucial meeting with Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav on Tuesday. The discussion centered on the escalating discontent among farmers and mounting environmental worries regarding a proposed ethanol production facility in Tibbi, located in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan.
MP Presents Farmers' Apprehensions to Central Minister
During the meeting, MP Indora engaged in a detailed and serious conversation with Minister Yadav. He highlighted the multiple layers of concern brewing at the grassroots level. The primary focus was on the palpable apprehensions of the local farming community, the potential strain on the region's critical water resources, and the overall threat to the environmental equilibrium.
Indora made it unequivocally clear that the interests of farmers, the protection of the local environment, and the water security of the region were absolute priorities where no compromise would be acceptable. He emphasized that the sentiment of the local public must be the cornerstone of any decision regarding the industrial project.
Key Demands for Project Approval Process
The MP laid out specific prerequisites that must be fulfilled before any approval for the ethanol plant can be considered. He informed the Union Minister that a transparent and inclusive process is non-negotiable. The essential conditions put forward include obtaining the prior and informed consent of the local farmers, conducting a robust and comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and ensuring complete transparency at every stage.
"Farmers must remain central to the decision-making process," Indora asserted, summarizing the core of his submission to the minister. This move underscores the political and social pressure building around the project, which has become a flashpoint for local communities.
Administration on Alert Ahead of Mahapanchayat
Anticipating further mobilization, the local administration in Hanumangarh has stepped up security measures. This action comes ahead of a proposed large-scale gathering or 'mahapanchayat' scheduled for Wednesday. Senior police and district officials conducted reviews of the security arrangements and have deployed additional police forces in the area to maintain law and order.
Officials held briefings with the personnel assigned to duty and issued necessary instructions. A stern warning was also issued, stating that strict legal action would be taken against any anti-social elements or any attempts to disrupt public peace and harmony. The heightened security reflects the administration's intent to prevent any untoward incident while the dialogue over the controversial project continues at the ministerial level.
