ABC Ltd. is a large transnational company having diversified business activities with a huge shareholder base. The company is continuously expanding and generating employment. The company, in its expansion and diversification programme, decides to establish a new plant at Vikaspuri, an area which is underdeveloped. The new plant is designed to use energy efficient technology that will help the company to save production cost by 20%. The company’s decision goes well with the Government policy of attracting investment to develop such underdeveloped regions. The Government has also announced tax holiday for five years for the companies that invest in underdeveloped areas. However, the new plant may bring chaos for the inhabitants of Vikaspuri region, which is otherwise tranquil. The new plant may result in increased cost of living, aliens migrating to the region, disturbing the social and economic order. The company sensing the possible protest tried to educate the people of Vikaspuri region and public in general that how its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy would help overcome the likely difficulties of the residents of Vikaspuri region. In spite of this the protests begin and some of the residents decided to approach the judiciary as their plea before the Government did not yield any result.

1. Laws, rules & regulations (FRA, 2006)
2. Environment Ethics
3. Sustainable Development.
4. Economic Development.

a) Stakeholders involved here along with their interests are :-

• Tribal displacement
• Social justice | | Tribal leader | - Hunger strike if demand not met |

(b) The various ethical issues involved are:-

i) Environmental preservation v/s socio-economic development. ii) Large scale displacement of tribals. iii) Livelihood & belief of tribals v/s interests of whole state. iv) social justice v/s Environment ethics. v) cultural significance v/s Economical value.

For ensuring sustainable development, differing interests can be reconciled in this way :-

i) Knowing & Understanding :- state should form a high-level committee to know the ground realities

• how much area to be submerged
• Quantum of tribals to be displaced
• cultural significance of river & emotional attachment

ii) It must have participation from all the given stakeholders as well as experts to quantify the loss to environment.

iii) Along with the above Environment Impact Assessment, a social impact assessment by Gram sabha at local level. It'd tell whether it is worth going for such a hydel power project or not

iv) Alternative sites can also be explored for such a project - which does not affect the cultural rights of tribals.

v) If it is proved by EIA & SIA that such project is good for economy, then govt must look for alternative land for rehabilitation of tribals. This must be done in a multi-stake holder approach.

vi) Govt can ask private company to give compensation as well as employment to the affected families.

vii) The local leader must be convinced of the benefits of the project and asked about other concerns. steps must be taken to address those needs. Now, the local leader would convince the tribals.

viii) However, if project leads to irreparable environmental damage and isn't sustainable, it must be shelved immediately.

ix) Media must be unbiased & be fair in showing the case as it proceeds.

WAY FORWARD :-