Govt defends Great Nicobar project after Rahul Gandhi attack

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha provides clarification in the form of FAQs Rahul Gandhi India on Wednesday slammed the Rs 81,000-crore initiative, saying it posed a serious threat to the environment and indigenous communities.The government said the project was of “strategic, defense and national importance and was undertaken after due diligence and careful consideration”.“The project will significantly strengthen India’s presence in the Andaman Sea and Southeast Asia, enhance maritime and defense capabilities, and integrate the island into global trade and logistics networks. It will also establish a major international transshipment terminal,” it said.The government said the project’s potential ecological impacts have been fully identified and assessed and managed through a robust environmental impact assessment process.Regarding the protection of tribal communities, the government said, “All statutory procedural and policy safeguards… have been duly adhered to… and necessary consultations have been held with competent authorities and domain experts in accordance with the Jarawa Policy, 2004 and Shompen Policy, 2015. The Empowered Committee… has clearly ensured that the interests of particularly vulnerable tribal groups… are not adversely affected.”“Govt added, “The project has also received a no-objection certificate from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and is in full compliance with the Forest Rights Act, 2006.”