EIA 2020 draft's objective is 'loot of the nation', must be withdrawn: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted that the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) 2020 draft must be withdrawn to stop environmental destruction. The former Congress chief termed the EIA 2020 draft, which has been placed by the BJP government for public feedback, as 'disgraceful and dangerous.'

New Delhi:Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that the objective of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) 2020 draft is "loot of the nation" and demanded that it must be withdrawn to stop environmental destruction.

"The objective of the EIA2020 draft is clear - #LootOfTheNation This is another terrible example of what the BJP government has been doing for the 'friends' of the suit-boot who have robbed the resources of the country. EIA 2020 draft must be withdrawn to stop #LootOfTheNation and environmental destruction," Gandhi tweeted.

The draft EIA notification, which involves procedure of issuing environmental clearances to various projects, was issued by the Environment Ministry in March and public suggestions were invited.

The Environment ministry had earlier said it would not extend the deadline for people to give suggestions and opinions beyond June 30, but later gave time till August 12.

On Sunday, Gandhi had urged people to protest the new EIA 2020 draft, saying it was "dangerous" and, if notified, the long term consequences would be "catastrophic".

In a Facebook post using the hashtag 'WithdrawEIA2020', Gandhi had slammed the government over the EIA, 2020, draft, saying it was not only "disgraceful", but "dangerous".

"Not only does it have the potential to reverse many of the hard fought gains that have been won over the years in the battle to protect our environment, it could potentially unleash widespread environmental destruction and mayhem across India," he had said.

(ANI Report)