EIA assault on ecological security, environment, poor adivasis: Congress

The Congress on Tuesday claimed that the Environmental Impact Assessment Notification 2020 (EIA 2020) is an assault on India's ecological security, environment, fragile ecosystems and millions of poor adivasis.

Addressing a virtual press conference, Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the government unilaterally acquired power to appoint state environmental impact assessment authorities thereby killing cooperative federalism.

Environmentalists, civil society groups and activists have raised objections to the EIA 2020.

"This usurpation of power by the Centre virtually makes the role and responsibility of state governments rudderless and that of a mute spectator," the Congress leader alleged.

"The EIA 2020 licenses and legitimises environmental