Approval for Adani Group's Pumped Storage Project expansion in Andhra Pradesh draws flak
A G.O. was issued by K. Vijayanand, Special Chief Secretary to Government (FAC), on Monday, June 30. The water allocations for both the projects have also been increased. Ironically, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders had raised a hue and cry against the same project, when the YSRCP government had tried to implement the project in January 2023. The TDP leaders had joined the protests, organised by the tribal people, to oppose the conduct of a survey for the proposed project.
A survey team, which had visited Pedakota and other villages for the survey in January 2023, was literally chased by the tribal people, making them beat a hasty retreat.
Meanwhile, E.A.S. Sarma, a social activist and former Secretary to the Government of India, in a letter to the Chief Secretary Vijayanand, demanded cancellation of the project given to the Adani Group, alleging that the project approvals were given unilaterally without consulting the local tribal people in violation of the PESA Act (Panchyats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996) and Forest Rights Act. He also noted that apart from permitting the enhancement of the project capacity, permission was also given to utilise water from the local stream for the hydro project.
Mr. Sarma noted that Pedakota region was notified under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, which gives special rights to the tribal people. The government has to obtain prior approval of the tribal people by holding 'gram sabhas' before taking such a decision, which it has failed to do. Hence, G.O. MS no. 51 (Energy) dt 30-6-2025, is not valid, under the law.
The tribal people depend on the local stream for their irrigation needs. Diverting 16.547 MCM of water for the project would cause immense loss to them apart from depriving them of their rights. He regretted that political leaders, who should be answerable to the people in a democracy, were going head over heels to satisfy the corporate groups. He reiterated the demand for cancellation of the project.
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