Mumbai, Aug, 4, (EPC News): The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has imposed temporary restriction on environmental clearance for development of projects in 43 industrial clusters in India.

Says Sriprakash Jaiswal, Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal and Statistics and Programme Implementations, “ Out of these 43 clusters, following 7 clusters cover the coal bearing areas.”

Till date, the restrictions have been lifted in 25 out of 43 clusters, out of which only 3 clusters cover coalfield areas namely Singrauli, Angul-Talcher and Ib-Valley.  The restrictions in other clusters have been extended up to September.

He further added that Ministry of Coal (MoC) had approached MoEF for exemption of coal bearing areas from the purview of these temporary restrictions on environmental clearance.  However, it was not agreeable to MoEF as a result of which MoC moved a note for consideration of cabinet committee on infrastructure (CCI).

PW News Bureau