Permission denied for public hearing

The Ratnagiri district administration on Friday denied permission to organisations opposed to the proposed Jaitapur project to hold a public hearing at Mithgavhane village,which would be affected by the project. Organisations like Janhit Seva Samiti,Konkan Bachao Samiti and Human Rights Law Network had organised the Indian People’s Tribunal public hearing under former judges Justices A P Shah and K Sampat. Ratnagiri district collector M B Gaikwad confirmed that he had denied permission for the public hearing,which was to be held on March 6 and 7.

Meanwhile,the Bombay High Court suggested that the tribunal rather invite eminent experts from the field to address the concerns of villagers. They had contested the government denial of permission for the public hearing.

Public prosecutor PA Pol had told the court that the government had already conducted public hearings as required in law and the chief minister had himself visited the villages.