Tata's violation

It's the season of shocking revelations about the power that big
companies wield over our governments, and here's one more. Environment
and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh is on record saying that TATA's
Dhamra port in Orissa would have been stopped on account of a legal
violation, had its construction not started already [1].

In the file noting obtained under RTI, Ramesh says, "Had construction
not commenced, we could have taken a decision unequivocally not to let
the project proceed at the site whose "forest" status is disputed."
Located close to the Gahirmatha and Bitharkanika Protected Areas, the
Dhamra port project poses a threat to the environment and endangered
species like the Olive Ridley Sea turtles and saltwater crocodiles.

The port could have been stopped for violating the law; the fragile
ecology of the area could have been saved. So why were the TATAs let
off so easily? Influence? Money power? Is there more to this than
meets the eye?

So, why do you think TATA's forest land violation was overlooked?

http://www.greenpeace.org/india/en/What-We-Do/Defending-our-oceans/Coastal-development/Why-was-Tata-let-off-the-hook1/

This information vindicates lakhs of Indians who have opposed the port
for the last several years [2]. It reveals that powerful corporations
are allowed to get away with blatant legal violations. It also shows
that, in this case at least, the TATA group has not upheld the high
standards of ethics that they claim to have.

Based on letters issued by the ministry's own officials, a case was
filed last year against the violation of the Forest Conservation Act,
1980 [3]. Despite high ranking officers confirming the violation, the
central ministry gave a clean chit to the port [4].

To make matters worse, TATA is now proposing a further expansion of
the port, and other industries are proposed for the area. This
eco-sensitive area could have been saved, had the ministry taken
action in time. The minister's note only proves that influential
corporations can get away with anything.

Click here to take the poll:

http://www.greenpeace.org/india/en/What-We-Do/Defending-our-oceans/Coastal-development/Why-was-Tata-let-off-the-hook1/

Thanks a billion!

[image: Photo of Ashish Fernandes]

Ashish Fernandes
Oceans Campaigner
Greenpeace India

________________________________

Sources:

1. File notings obtained from the RTI application
http://www.greenpeace.org/india/Global/india/docs/dhamra-fca-file-notings.pdf

2. Jaago Re, 25,000 Indians tell Jairam Ramesh, greenpeace.org/india,
April 8th, 2010
http://www.greenpeace.org/india/en/news/jaago-re-25-000-indians-tell/

3. MoEF affidavit, May 5, 2010.
http://greenpeace.in/turtle/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/MoEF-affidavit-May-5-2010.pdf

Regional MoEF letter to Central MoEF, April 1st, 2010
http://greenpeace.in/turtle/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/RegionalMoEF-April-1-2010.pdf

4. Greenpeace accuses Ramesh, UPA of double standards on Dharma port,
webindia123.com, September 23rd, 2010.
http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20100924/1593930.html

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Environmental violation

From: Online Campaigner <online.campaigner.in@greenpeace.org>
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:34:26 +0530

Hi,

Now that the truth about TATA's Dhamra port in Orissa is out, we need to
make sure everyone knows about it. Minister Environment and Forest Jairam
Ramesh's has gone on record saying that even though there is a probable
violation, the port construction was not stopped because the construction
had already begun.[1]

Located close to the Gahirmatha and Bitharkanika Protected Areas, the Dhamra
port poses a threat to the environment and endangered species like the Olive
Ridley Sea turtles and saltwater crocodiles. The port could have been
stopped for violating the law; the fragile ecology of the area could have
been saved. But powerful corporations have a way of getting things done
their way.

Of course, they won't like that this ugly truth has come out. Now that it
has it should be told to each and every person so that this nexus between
powerful corporations and our government can be exposed. Advertisements
about this issue are already out in the newspapers. Now we need to take this
a step further.

Here's what we can do:

Listed below are places where you can leave your comments about this issue

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tata-Steel/263769571578?v=wall
http://www.facebook.com/TataNanoPage
http://www.facebook.com/ratannavaltata
http://www.facebook.com/pages/TATA/83531793416
http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community?cmm=943948
http://twitter.com/TataSteelEurope
http://www.facebook.com/tatadocomo
http://twitter.com/tatananocarnet
http://twitter.com/tatasteelindia
http://twitter.com/IndicomTata
http://twitter.com/tata_comm
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Tata-Consultancy-Services/108134792547341

http://twitter.com/tatamotorshr
http://www.facebook.com/tataindicom
http://www.facebook.com/TataSwach
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001625030880
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001131889972&ref=ts

http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community?cmm=38111864
http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community?cmm=1917291
http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community?cmm=92768908
http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community?cmm=55361

Here are some of the things you can post. You can also come up with
something on your own.

Why are you a party to a legal violation of forest laws for the Dhamra port
in Orissa? (LINK to PDF/ GP site)
Will you abandon the project now that a legal violation has been
established? (LINK to PDF/ GP site)
TATA claims to adhere to the highest ethical standards. Yet in the case of
their Dhamra port, there is clear proof of a legal violation, agreed to by a
Cabinet Minister. What is the TATA stand on that? (LINK o PDF/GP site)
Shouldn't TATA abandon the project – in keeping with your ethical
commitments?
Despite this proof, will TATA persist in further expanding the port?
The TATA images has taken a severe beating in the last 5 years, with
Kalinganagar, Singur, Dhamra and now the 2G scam. If its serious about its
commitment to ethics and transparency, this is the right time for the group
to take a good hard look inwards and put in place checks to prevent such
issues from arising again.
JRD Tata believed in environmental protection and the highest ethics, even
if it meant reduced profits. Looks like today's TATA Group no longer has the
same values (link to turtle microsite)
Going by recent events, TATA is no better than any other big corporation
when it comes to exerting undue influence on government

You can also update your Facebook status with any one of the following
messages (or come up with something of your own):

Dhamra – government succumbs to corporate pressure again
Dhamra port – big corporations rule India! To hell with our environment
Dhamra port - another TATA-Government cover up!
Government allows TATA port to escape
TATA – Guilty!
TATA port violation covered up by government!

Most importantly, forward this email to your friends and family to spread
awareness about this scandal, and to all those who you think will take
action.

Thanks a billion!

Ashish Fernandes
Oceans Campaigner
Greenpeace India

Source:
1. File notings obtained from the RTI application
http://www.greenpeace.org/india/Global/india/docs/dhamra-fca-file-notings.pdf

Online Campaigner -- Greenpeace India

Tell the Maker of Lipton Tea to Stop Abusing Animals! (via PETA)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: PETA India <newsmanager@petaindia.com>
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 2010 11:53:40 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Tell the Maker of Lipton Tea to Stop Abusing Animals!

PETA needs your help to urge the makers of Lipton to stop testing
their teas on animals. Hundreds of rabbits, piglets, mice and rats
have suffered and died in tests to support the company that makes
Lipton's marketing claims about its teas. Please urge the company the
makes Lipton to stop this cruelty.

The tests conducted by the company that makes Lipton and its
associates include the following:

* Rabbits were fed a high-fat, cholesterol-laden diet, leading to
extreme hardening of the arteries. They were then fed tea to see if it
could reduce the lesions that formed on the animals' arteries. After
the experiment, the rabbits' heads were cut off.
* Mice bred to suffer from a painful bowel inflammation were fed tea
ingredients in order to see if the tea had any effect on their
condition. After the test, experimenters killed the mice by
suffocating them or breaking their necks.
* Piglets were exposed to E. coli toxin and then fed tea in order to
see if the tea could prevent fluid loss and diarrhoea. As part of the
tests, experimenters cut the pigs' intestines apart. The piglets were
then killed.
Not one of these experiments is legally required for beverage makers,
and US and European regulators have stated that animal tests are not
sufficient to prove a health claim about a product.

Modern, cruelty-free research methods are available and are in use by
other leading beverage companies around the world.

We need you to speak up for the animals who are tortured and killed by
the company that makes Lipton. Please click here to urge the makers of
Lipton to stop testing and funding tests on animals.

http://action.petaindia.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=111&ea.campaign.id=8877&ea.param.extras=ea_source_code:piadvltea~c=piltea

Thank you for your compassion for all animals.

Sincerely,

The PETA India Team

Stopping the middlemen from exploitation the poor

First a little about who we are. We are a to be registered NGO in India & want to change what's wrong, through the little we can do. And we are colourful, neither black, white or yellow! We will definitely use our grants & donations that come in later or useful purposes, but also keep a profit. Lets not be hypocrites, we speak the truth.

Here what we want to highlight is that even in times of high food inflation in India & are numerous farmer suicides, the parts that've had a healthy crop too isn't in a very healthy situation. Even in parts of India, where there's been a good crop yield, the farmers are definitely selling at much lower rates than we are buying(no sources, but common sense).

We want citizens to post their experiences and tell us how much a product costs at source & at final destination. Comment on this post & let the world know. Even if you're from outside India, its OK. Its an open world!

Looking forward to inputs.