India's Greenpeace Clampdown, Environmental Rule Cuts Send "Chilling" Message On Climate

New Delhi (AFP) - Moves by India's new right-wing government to block Greenpeace funds and weaken environmental protection laws send a "chilling message", the head of the lobby group said Monday, as he urged the prime minister to release the money. Kumi Naidoo also called on India not to lose sight of the environment in its campaign to boost economic growth, saying the country of 1.2 billion had a leading role to play in saving the planet.

New Delhi tightened controls on foreign fund transfers to Greenpeace India in June after the Intelligence Bureau accused activist groups of "stalling development projects" by protesting against power projects, mining and genetically modified food.

The new government has also been accused of watering down environmental rules after it allowed polluting industries to operate closer to national parks, and said small coal miners could expand production by 50 percent without seeking public approval.

EDIT

India's biggest corporate groups have flocked to business-friendly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose right-wing government swept to power in May elections on a pledge to revive the ailing economy. Since coming to power, his Bharatiya Janata Party has pushed through a series of long-awaited moves that will make it easier for companies to win approval for new projects.

EDIT

http://news.yahoo.com/indian-govt-sending-chilling-message-environment-greenpeace-115416375.html