IDUKKI: Idukki Bishop Mathew Anikuzhikattil on Wednesday said that BJP’s decision to dump Gadgil report and use Kasturirangan report shows that the Centre has not made any change in its stand on the issue.
Both the reports are almost similar and BJP government’s new decision has made nearly no impact on the Church’s stand opposing it, he said.
Fr Sebastian Kochupurackal, who heads the High Range Samrakshana Samithi (HRSS) which is fighting against the implementation of the Gadgil and Kasturirangan reports, said that HRSS will continue to oppose the Central government’s move until it accepts the suggestions made by the Oommen V Oommen committee set up by the state government and excludes human habitations, agriculture and plantation areas.
“HRSS will give full support to BJP government if it draws up a people-friendly report,” he said. Before deciding to take any steps regarding the implementation of the reports the government should take the people into confidence, he added.The change in BJP government’s stand, after initially deciding to implement Gadgil committee report, has given fresh hope to the people, he said.
Sabu Varghese, who had contested the Lok Sabha elections on BJP ticket, said that the government’s main aim is to implement the project without affecting the common man. The same had been said during the polls, he said.