Environment & Forests Ministry to complete reviewing all Odisha-related matters this month

BHUBANESWAR: The environment and forest ministry plans to complete reviewing all Odisha-related matters lying with it, including the issues of regulatory failure raised by a centrally appointed commission looking into illegal mining, in July itself.

Environment and Forest Minister Prakash Javadekar, who was in Bhubaneswar on July 4, said the government would prepare an action plan for all the Odisha projects.

In a barb aimed at Naveen Patnaik, Javadekar said, “All chief ministers have met us with their respective problems, but the chief minister of Odisha has not. But, just because no one from the Odisha government has come to us, doesn't mean we will sit back. We (the Centre) are interested in the development of Odisha.“

Javadekar was in the city to announce the BJP's new BJP's new legislative leader. Nuapada MLA Ba santa Kumar Panda bagged the post, beating candidates such as former minister and hotelier Dillip Ray. Union minister for tribal affairs Jual Oram and state party chief KV Singhdeo were also in the fray.