Vedanta decision likely in a week

NEW DELHI: The environment ministry is likely to take a decision on the fate of Vedanta’s mining project in Orissa in a week. The NC Saxena panel, appointed by the ministry, had on Monday recommended that the company not be allowed to mine in the Niyamgiri hills.

The Forest Advisory Committee will be meeting on August 20 to consider recommendations of the expert panel. The FAC will be submit its recommendations to environment minister Jairam Ramesh, after which a final decision will be taken. “After FAC makes its observations, I will take a decision in totality, taking into account the various laws, economic consideration. Only then will final clearance be given to the mining project,” Mr Ramesh said.

The Saxena panel had found serious violations in the provisions of environmental clearance and the Environment Protection Act by Vedanta. One such violation related to the unauthorised expansion of capacity from 1 million tonne a year to 6 million tonne. The expansion had no environment clearance and Vedanta is said to have ignored repeated notices sent by the Orissa Pollution Control Board to stop work. The minister has said that he would look into the reported violations, and requisite action would follow. “I am surprised to know that the refinery has expanded its capacity six-fold . If this is indeed the case, as pointed out by the report, then it is a most blatant and serious violation of environment laws. It will be looked into,” the minister said.

While the ministry seems to be convinced that bauxite mining in Niyamgiri hills should be blocked, a different yardstick may be applied while assessing Vedanta’s refinery. There is a view that since the refinery is already functional and the expansion work nearly complete , the company should be let off after being slapped a fine.