Bahuguna refuses to end 42-day-old fast

Sunderlal Bahuguna, the celebrated environmental crusader, has been fasting for 42 days, asking the the Union government to stop construction work on the Rs 65 billion Tehri hydel project.

Rejecting his demand, Union Power Minister Y K Alagh said it was unrealistic to stop work at this stage.

Visiting Tehri on the instructions of Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral, who is worried about Bahuguna's health, Professor Alagh said that any judicial process for looking into the safety and other aspects of the project may be accepted by the government.

''If Bahuguna wants the Chief Justice of India to name the head of the commission, it may also be accepted,'' the minister said.

Asked why his statement should be taken at face value when the earlier promises made to Bahuguna by successive governments, including the one made by then prime minister H D Deve Gowda, were broken, Professor Alagh said, ''That is why I don't want to give any false assurance.''

If the judicial process suggested by Bahuguna found the project detrimental to the society and suggested that the work be stopped, the government would abide by its verdict, Professor Alagh said.

Bahuguna asked Professor Alagh why the government was reluctant to stop work now, when it was not sure whether the project was good or bad for the society. He said the government should not ''treat the people's respect to the Ganga as communal since it is a cultural heritage of the region''.

Besides, other symbols of cultural heritage had been spoiled by the Tehri Hydel Development Corporation, complained Bahuguna. He said its officials paid no attention to the maintenance of Swami Ram Teerth's memorial's maintenance.

The officials, however, denied the allegation, saying the memorial was under the charge of the Swami Ram Teerth Sangrahalaya Samiti. The corporation only maintained the building, they claimed.

When Professor Alagh urged Bahuguna to get himself examined by some doctor, the environmentalist said the government should not worry about his health, but think about the future of the local people.

UNI

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