The five companies facing an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation in the coal allotment controversy might not face immediate de-allocation.

A high-level inter-ministerial group (IMG) is examining cases involving 28 blocks allotted to private companies and not the ones being probed by CBI, a senior government official said. After three months of preliminary enquiry, the CBI on September 4 registered cases against AMR Iron and Steel, JLD Yavatmal, Navbharat Power, Vini Iron and Steel and Jas Infrastructure under Sections 120B and 420 of the penal code, on criminal conspiracy and cheating.

Environment minister caught between India Inc pushing for green nods and environmentalists accusing her of not doing enough to save India’s forests

It probably wasn’t only in jest that a few months ago Jayanthi Natarajan likened herself to a mridangam, a percussion instrument that can be played from both sides. The minister for environment and forests revealed she felt caught between India Inc, pushing aggressively for environmental and forest clearances that will give it the land and resources to expand, and environmentalists who are accusing her of not doing enough to save India’s shrinking forests.

Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki has said the state was facing problems in getting environment clearances, in some cases taking years, for the proposed hydropower projects.

Attending a panel discussion on ‘Hydropower Projects in North-East’ at New Delhi yesterday, Tuki said the state was facing serious problems in getting Forest and Environment clearances, official sources said here today. Arunachal Pradesh has 40 per cent of the country’s total hydropower generation potential. Tuki requested the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests to have a more positive role in hydropower development in the state.

Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that besides decentralisation and simplification in the mining sector in Madhya Pradesh, transparent arrangements have also been ensured.

On August 30, relay hunger strikes by villagers against a proposed 2,640MW coal-fired thermal power plant at Sompeta in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh would touch the 1,000-day mark.

Private companies such as Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd, Usha Martin, Castron Mining Ltd and Jayaswal Neco Industries Ltd told the inter-ministerial group (IMG) that they were not able to mine coal f

JAIPUR: The state government is again in the dock for allowing mining of bajri (riverbed sand) allegedly in violation of SC directives. On the basis of a public interest litigation filed in this regard, the Rajasthan High Court has sought a clarification from the government and its mining department within seven days.

An NGO, Nature Club of Rajasthan, has accused the government of continuing with the old system of bajri mining even though the rules governing sand quarries have been amended in accordance with the SC guidelines. It is alleged that the mining department's notification of June 21 this year has neutralized the amended rules in favour of the illegal bajri miners.

Most blame wait to get green nod, land Jindal Steel might present case today

On the first day of the three-day interaction of the high-level inter ministerial group (IMG) on coal block development, 10 companies on Thursday presented their cases to the panel, justifying their delay in production. These companies are among the 58 issued show-cause notices by the government, threatening cancellation of allocations. Those making a presentation included Monnet Ispat & Energy, Usha Martin, Jayaswal Neco, Electrosteel Casting and Neelachal Iron & Steel