Accused of delaying,Jairam asks PM to decide on mine approvals

The remaining areas — areas in Category B — would be open for applications,which would be processed under the Forest (Conservation) Act with the rider that they should not form part of any national park,wildlife sanctuary or important wildlife corridor,and should not be an island of disturbance in an otherwise unfragmented landscape.

The note — which has Jairam’s approval — to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for “further necessary action”,says that this criterion would release two-thirds of the proposed coal blocks in “relatively less problematic zones”.

An internal Ministry paper shows that this formula would free 649 mines in eight coalfields of North Karanpura,I B Valley,Singarauli,Talcher,West Bokaro,Wardha,Mandraigarh and Shoagpur. There would no mines in Hasdeo-Arand field.

The Ministries of Coal and Power have been pushing for open cast mining,as it allows maximum exploitation (85 per cent to 90 percent) of reserves as opposed to underground mining (10-20 per cent),but leads to degradation of the land and forest.

These Ministries — besides the Ministries of Steel,Mining,Road Transport and Defence — have complained that their projects were being delayed due to the attitude of the MoEF,which should identify restricted areas and open the rest. However,the latter wants to specify ‘no go’ and ‘go’ areas where it would have the last word for approval or rejection.

Explaining its stand to the PMO,the MoEF said: “Other Ministries and project proponents are requested to appreciate the spirit of these (FCA) guidelines which are after all meant only to conserve the remaining forest and natural habitat,and safeguard the water and soil resources on which hundreds of millions of poor people depend for their very existence.

“It is pertinent to consider that MoEF has always tried to balance conservation and development… MoEF is in active dialogue with the Ministries of Coal,Steel,Mining,Power,Irrigation,Road Transport and Defence,and issues of mutual concern are being reviewed regularly at highest levels and appropriate actions are being taken up by respective Ministries,” the letter said.

The piling-up of projects in the absence of environment and forest clearances came up for sharp criticism at the mid-term review by the Planning Commission last month,and Ministries blamed it for time and cost over-runs in projects. The PM had directed the MoEF to come up with realistic solutions to cut red tape and delays.