SC notice to MoEF on Sterlite eco clearance

The Supreme Court today sought to ascertain the central government's stand on a plea by Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) challenging the revocation of the environment clearance for a Sterlite bauxite mining project in the state.

Seeking the government's response, a bench of justices R V Raveendran and Gyan Sudha Misra issued a notice to the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) and directed it to file its reply within a week.

Senior advocate K K Venugopal, appearing for OMC, said the Minister of State for MoEF passed an order withdrawing the environmental clearance just a day before demitting his office.

Venugopal submitted that no mandatory notice was given for this withdrawal.

In this regard, it is pertinent to note that prior to the withdrawal, OMC had approached the apex court three months earlier when the ministry had revoked its forest clearance, which is different from environment clearance and is aimed at ensuring that the project does not lead to depletion of green cover in the area.

Venugopal submitted that the minister withdrew the environment clearance for the project despite knowing that the matter is subjudice and before the Supreme Court.

The court, meanwhile, also allowed Prafful Samanta, on whose plea the MoEF had taken the action, to file an application to be a party in the matter.