Media reports indicate that the Korean steel major Posco wants the Indian government to revalidate the environment clearance for the Rs 52,000-crore steel project in Odisha.
Although the project was given clearance in 2005-06, that was put on hold subsequently. Following this, the green tribunal visited the site and sent its report to the environment ministry. But the issue is pending with the ministry.
The union steel ministry has reportedly asked the environment ministry to revalidate environment clearances for the project, in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha. The ministry is learnt to have cited resistance from non-governmental organisations and anti-land acquisition activists.
However, the Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jayanthi Natarajan said the ministry was yet to get any such requests from the steel ministry.
The environment ministry is awaiting the report of the expert appraisal committee (EAC) on the steel project before deciding on the green clearance.
Posco India may start work on the site if the land required for the project was given to the company by the end of 2013.
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