MoEF cancels Vedanta University clearance

The controversial Vedanta University project,proposed to built on Puri-Konark marine drive,has been pushed into limbo.

The controversial Vedanta University project,proposed to built on Puri-Konark marine drive,has been pushed into limbo after the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests today decided to keep the conditional environmental and Coastal Regulatory Zone clearance in abeyance over allegations of irregularities,illegal and unlawful deeds by the Anil Agarwal Foundation.

On April 16 this year,the Ministry had granted conditional environmental and CRZ clearance to the Anil Agarwal Foundation which is building the university,while setting about 50 conditions. But simultaneously, the ministry had invited objections from the public about the clearance. As per the conditions the Foundation has to get necessary permission and no objection certificate from the ministry as the project is situated less than 200 metres of Balukhanda reserve forest and wildlife sanctuary.

However,in its order today the ministry said it has received information alleging irregularities,illegal,unethical and unlawful deeds by Anil Agarwal Foundation. The ministry also said it has received information that serious objections raised in the Orissa Coastal Zone Management Authority meeting were not appropriately considered in granting the CRZ and environmental clearance.

An MoEF official said the CRZ and environmental clearance passed on April 16 thus would be kept in abeyance till a final decision in the matter is taken by the ministry.

The university proposed to be built over an area of 6892 acres,is already in the centre of a swirling controversy with Orissa Lok Pal Justice PK Patra recommending for appointment of a competent authority to thoroughly probe and inquire into the land deal for the proposed institution. In his report,the Lok Pal indicted the Naveen Patnaik government,particularly the chief minister’s office,and accused four senior government officials of acting hastily in handing over the land to the foundation. The Lok Pal had noted that since the Foundation was not a public company under the Companies Act,therefore the State government’s acquisition of land for the university was illegal. The Lok Pal also asked the government to find out the people and public servants responsible for advancing the cause of the Anil Agarwal Foundation in haste without compliance of the provisions of various laws by the foundations and to see whether the public servants concerned were influenced by any representatives of the Anil Agarwal Foundation or any other persons.

In the April 16 clearance,the MoEF had said that Anil Agarwal Foundation can not draw ground water,restrict local fishermen from fishing,construct in CRZ area.

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