Proposed New Secretariat at Marina Beach Chennai dropped; Livelihood of fisherwomen not affected; Tamil Nadu Government informs NHRC
New Delhi, 19 July 2005
Addressing the concern that the livelihood of a number of fisherwomen would be affected by construction of a New Secretariat Complex near the Marina Beach in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu Government has informed the National Human Rights Commission that it has dropped the proposal. The Government was responding to the Commission's concern in a case regarding protection of the interest of the Chennai Marina Coastal Women, which had come up during the public hearing conducted by the National Commission for Women and subsequently referred to the NHRC for consideration. The Public Hearing on Marina Coastal Fisherman and other unorganized workers held by the National Commission for Women on 21 May 2003, in its report had referred to a plan of the Tamil Nadu Government to convert the Marina to house foreign embassies, five star hotels etc and also to shift the Government Secretariat to the Marina. As per the report, the proposed Government plan would result in eviction at a very large scale, denying livelihood to fishermen, other unorganized women labourers and violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). It had stated that nearly one lakh people would be affected. After hearing the matter, the jurors at the Public Hearing recommended several measures for adoption by the Central and State Governments to protect the interest of Chennai Marina Coastal women. This report of the Public Hearing was sent to the NHRC.
Taking cognizance of the matter, the Commission, on 19 May 2004 directed that the recommendations of the jury at the Public Hearing be sent to the concerned authorities of the Central and State Government of Tamil Nadu for their comments and for submitting the action taken report. Accordingly, the matter was referred to the Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and the Secretaries of Department of Ocean Development and Department of Urban Development, Government of India.
In reply, the Department of Ocean Development in its letter dated 30 June 2004 informed the Commission that not it but the Ministry of Environment and Forest is concerned with the proposal. Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India was requested to send its comments while the Ministry of Urban Development through its letter dated 13 July 2004 informed the Commission that they have no comments to offer.
The Ministry of Environment & Forests in its letter dated 22 February 2005 furnished comments on the recommendations of Public Hearing. Most of the points, it stated pertained to matters under the jurisdiction of the State Government and have to be implemented by the State Government. The State Government of Tamil Nadu through its letter dated 16 February 2005 intimated the Commission that the proposal to construct a New Secretariat Complex near Marina Beach has been dropped and steps are being taken to put up the complex in a convenient location elsewhere within the city, which in no way will affect the coastal women.
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Addressing the concern that the livelihood of a number of fisherwomen would be affected by construction of a New Secretariat Complex near the Marina Beach in Chennai, the Tamil Nadu Government has informed the National Human Rights Commission that it has dropped the proposal. The Government was responding to the Commission's concern in a case regarding protection of the interest of the Chennai Marina Coastal Women, which had come up during the public hearing conducted by the National Commission for Women and subsequently referred to the NHRC for consideration. The Public Hearing on Marina Coastal Fisherman and other unorganized workers held by the National Commission for Women on 21 May 2003, in its report had referred to a plan of the Tamil Nadu Government to convert the Marina to house foreign embassies, five star hotels etc and also to shift the Government Secretariat to the Marina. As per the report, the proposed Government plan would result in eviction at a very large scale, denying livelihood to fishermen, other unorganized women labourers and violation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ). It had stated that nearly one lakh people would be affected. After hearing the matter, the jurors at the Public Hearing recommended several measures for adoption by the Central and State Governments to protect the interest of Chennai Marina Coastal women. This report of the Public Hearing was sent to the NHRC.
Taking cognizance of the matter, the Commission, on 19 May 2004 directed that the recommendations of the jury at the Public Hearing be sent to the concerned authorities of the Central and State Government of Tamil Nadu for their comments and for submitting the action taken report. Accordingly, the matter was referred to the Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu and the Secretaries of Department of Ocean Development and Department of Urban Development, Government of India.
In reply, the Department of Ocean Development in its letter dated 30 June 2004 informed the Commission that not it but the Ministry of Environment and Forest is concerned with the proposal. Accordingly, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Government of India was requested to send its comments while the Ministry of Urban Development through its letter dated 13 July 2004 informed the Commission that they have no comments to offer.
The Ministry of Environment & Forests in its letter dated 22 February 2005 furnished comments on the recommendations of Public Hearing. Most of the points, it stated pertained to matters under the jurisdiction of the State Government and have to be implemented by the State Government. The State Government of Tamil Nadu through its letter dated 16 February 2005 intimated the Commission that the proposal to construct a New Secretariat Complex near Marina Beach has been dropped and steps are being taken to put up the complex in a convenient location elsewhere within the city, which in no way will affect the coastal women.
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