Ramsethu-Biased Committee acts in undue haste

Press Statement- Rama Setu protection movement

A member of the Centre’s Setu Channel Committee has reportedly said:”The committee will accept these views till October 31 in writing and then also hold personal hearing. The committee will come up with a final report by November 11 as stipulated and this will be submitted to the apex court.”

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/229385.html

This undue, unnecessary haste in report submission within 5 days after the final date of hearing, makes the Committee deliberations a farce. Clearly, there will no exercise of due diligence to evaluate all submissions and to seek views of many experts such as: geologists, marine archaeologists, maritime experts, defence experts, oceanographers, experts in the Law of the Sea and economists.

RRPM had raised serious doubts about the credibility of members of the Committee chaired by a person who has already biased in supporting the project, has expressed his biased view that Rama Setu does not exist. Chairman and five other members have received benefits from Setusamudram corporation as contractors or Environment Monitoring Committee members; three members are Marxist ideologues who have no concern for nation’s heritage and one is a member of Tamilnadu Planning Commission.

The committee has announced public hearings only in Chennai and it is clear that the Committee will not visit coastal areas and other places.

The committee has asked for submissions in English. To be fair and just, coastal people and people from other parts of the nation should be permitted to make their submissions in regional languages.

The RRPM demands that the committee acting in haste, composed with members having biased views be disbanded. Hon’ble Supreme Court has to intervene to appoint a Commission of experts from many disciplines under the direction of the Court to ensure fairness and justice for crores of citizens demanding declaration of Rama Setu as a world heritage monument.

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