People’s Lives More Important Than Industries: Sridhar Babu Defends HILT Policy in Telangana Assembly
Telangana Minister D. Sridhar Babu says people’s lives matter more than industrial growth, defends HILT policy in Assembly, stresses clean air and water for Hyderabad.
Telangana IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu on Tuesday asserted that people’s lives and environmental safety are more important than industrial development, as he strongly defended the government’s HILT policy during a discussion in the Assembly. He said the policy was framed in line with a Supreme Court of India verdict and urged the Opposition to rise above politics on an issue linked to public health.
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HILT Policy Based on Supreme Court Direction
Speaking in the House, Sridhar Babu said the HILT policy aims to prevent environmental damage and protect citizens from pollution. “Development does not mean destroying nature,” he said, adding that a society that cannot provide clean air and safe water cannot be considered progressive.
He criticised the Opposition for what he termed “deliberate misinformation” and asked them to debate the policy with facts rather than political motives.
“We Are Trustees of Nature, Not Owners”
The minister used strong words to underline the government’s stand on environmental protection. He said destroying nature for short-term gains is like “poisoning a golden bowl” and warned that once nature is damaged, it cannot be restored.
Key points highlighted by the minister:
- Humans are trustees of land, not owners
- Children are not property; a clean environment is the real legacy
- Protecting nature is a responsibility towards future generations
Industries Must Be Away From Residential Areas
Sridhar Babu recalled how 168 polluting residential industries were shifted in Delhi following court orders and pointed out that countries like China moved heavy industries away from cities under the “Blue Sky” system.
He said the HILT policy ensures that polluting industries are not located within the ORR limits of Hyderabad (Outer Ring Road Hyderabad), and that transparency will be maintained during implementation.
Learning From Past Industrial Disasters
Warning about the dangers of ignoring environmental safety, the minister referred to past tragedies such as LG Polymers incident in Visakhapatnam and the Bhopal gas disaster. He said the lack of buffer zones between industries and residential colonies has already caused serious harm in many cities.
“Groundwater is getting poisoned by industrial chemicals. If we don’t act now, Hyderabad could face the same fate as Delhi,” he cautioned.
No Forced Land Conversion, Policy Open to Review
Addressing allegations on land issues, Sridhar Babu clarified that:
- There is no compulsory land conversion
- Land will be converted only if industrialists come forward voluntarily
- Claims that the land belongs to the government are false
He said criticism of the HILT policy would be accepted constructively and that the policy would be reviewed and validated for six months.
Call to Think Beyond Politics
Concluding his remarks, the minister appealed to all parties to think beyond politics and focus on public welfare. “Our intention is clear — to protect people from pollution and ensure sustainable development,” he said.
The debate around the HILT policy, industrial pollution, and environmental safety is expected to remain a key topic in Telangana politics in the coming days.
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