The Power Ministry is seeking special dispensation from the Ministry of Environment and Forests to facilitate bidding for ultra mega power projects of 4,000 MW each in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

From now, highway development agencies won’t have to apply separately for mining of soil/ earth for such works.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has assured the Coal Ministry that it would examine the issue of whether in-principle environment and forest clearances can be granted to coal blocks t

Unresolved issues include whether to provide an 'in principle' environment clearance to the blocks on offer

The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has assured the Coal Ministry that it would examine the issue of whether in-principle environment and forest clearances can be granted to coal blocks that are to be put up for auction. Senior officials of coal ministry today met top officials of Environment Ministry in this regard here and discussed at length the issue of such clearances to mines that are to be auctioned.

PANJIM: The contentious cessation of mining operations in Goa will figure at the National Development Council (NDC) meeting to be chaired by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on December 27, wherein Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar would bat for an early decision on environment clearances (ECs) to mining leases, currently suspended by the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Parrikar said that since the ECs issue is with Union government, I would take up with the matter with Dr Singh, and request him thrash out an urgent solution, rather than wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict.

Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the information provided by Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on mining to the Supreme Court was "questionable."

The environment ministry has simplified the procedures for granting clearances to special economic zones as it seeks to shed the anti-industry image.