Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has initiated preliminary talks on issuing a White Paper on the proposed SilverLine semi high-speed rail project in the wake of the stiff resistance from the opposition, environmental activists and the people of the project area.
The talks for preparing the draft White Paper have begun by including planning board members among other experts. A detailed discussion will be held after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who is in the US for treatment, returns to the state.
The White Paper would include explanations on the limitations of the current transportation systems, future requirements, benefits of the project, financial liability, borrowings, and alterations in the environment. Though the Detailed Project Report will be the basis for the White Paper, responses on the policy and political questions will also find a place in it.
The White Paper will also be tabled in the state Assembly.
Govt interventions so far
The government has, so far, made two kinds of interventions to alleviate the apprehensions among the public over the SilverLine project. First, explanatory meetings were convened by including prominent figures. But in these, the report was presented by the Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (K-Rail) which is the executing the project. The meetings also drew criticism that the participants included only those backing the government. Second are the articles in 'Kerala Calling’, a government publication. But this does not have the nature of an authorised explanatory document.
The tender procedures are under way for handing out booklets on the project to 50 lakh houses.
What is a White Paper
The White Paper is generally released in circumstances where there are huge misgivings among the people over public issues. It is an informational document usually issued by organisations, firms to promote or highlight the features of a solution, product, or service being offered or planned to offer. White papers are also used as a method of presenting government policies and legislation and gauging public reaction.
White Papers so far in Kerala
In Kerala, the most number of 'White Papers' has been issued on the state’s finances. Soon after the first Pinarayi government came to power, a White Paper on the state’s finances was issued.
The White Paper issued in June 2016 stated that the previous government had announced projects without ensuring sufficient funds, borrowed beyond its capacity and that the revenue receipts did not rise despite the increase in expenditure. Interestingly, the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) is raising similar allegations against the SilverLine project.
After the first Pinarayi government completed half its term, the opposition had demanded the release of a White Paper on the fiscal situation of that period. But the government refused to give in.
Subsequently, a seven-member UDF committee of MLAs, led by V D Satheesan, carried out a study and released the White Paper in December 2019. The state was in a crisis due to borrowings, extravagance and needless spendings, as per the findings. That was the first time that the opposition released a White Paper in the state.
The last White Paper to be issued by the government was released in May 2018. This dealt with the environmental pollution.
Janakeeya Samithi to boycott survey
Thiruvananthapuram: A meeting of the anti-SilverLine public council has decided to boycott the survey of the social impact assessment conducted for the SilverLine project.
The statement explaining why the survey is being boycotted will be given to the Chief Secretary, Collector, secretaries of local bodies, and the agency conducting the study. Awareness will be created in all households at the unit-level. The agitation against the stone-laying will be intensified by the council organised under the banner of K-Rail SilverLine Viruddha Janakeeya Samithi.
Under the guise of the social impact assessment, only data collection is being carried out. There is not even one question about the negative impacts. The government has not disclosed to the project-affected people issues such as how much land will be acquired. Without knowing this, how can answers be given for questions in this regard. The committee alleged that the survey was an eye-wash.
General convenor S Rajeevan, K K Rema, M T Thomas, K Shaivaprasad, Dr M P Mathayi, John Peruvanthanam and John Joseph spoke during the meet which was chaired by state chairman M P Baburaj.
CM returning today
After undergoing treatment and medical check-ups in the US, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will be back in the state on Saturday.
During the online cabinet meet held on Thursday, the CM informed that he was fine and that he would be back in the state on Saturday, as per his schedule.
The Chief Minister had left on the morning of January 14 for treatment at the Mayo Clinic in the US.
