New Delhi: The Centre held meetings with
governments of various coal-bearing states this month with a
view to fast-track clearances for projects delayed due to
environmental issues, Parliament was informed on Wednesday.
"Meetings have been held with the chief secretaries of
Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhattisgarh in the month of November...
to expedite the pending forestry and environment clearances of
the mining projects," Minister of State for Coal Pratik
Prakashbapu Patil said in a reply to the Lok Sabha.
The minister said the Centre was also taking various
steps to overcome other problems related to these projects,
including land acquisition and law and order.
Follow-up action with land acquisition officials of the
state government was being conducted to expedite acquisition
proceedings, he said.
Furthermore, the minister said regular meetings were
being held with the state authorities to sort out local
problems.
"Forest officials are contacted on a regular basis at the
district-level to fulfill the requirements and clarifications
of their queries. Periodical reviews are being undertaken with
the regional offices of the Ministry of Environment and
Forests... for expediting the cases," he said.
PTI
