No norms compromised in granting environmental nods: Moily

He made the comments after activists staged a brief protest to oppose clearance given by him for coal mining projects

Environment Minister M Veerappa Moily today said he followed all rules and did not compromise on any norm in granting forest and environment clearance to a host of projects since taking over one and a half months back.

"I have not cleared even a single file where it has not been legally processed. Whatever comes to me, I would ensure it is in accordance with the law of the land and it doesn't violate any of them," he told reporters on sidelines of a conference organised by India chapter of UN's Global Compact Network here.

Moily, who took over the additional portfolio in late December after Jayanti Natarajan resigned, has cleared projects worth over Rs 150,000 crore and is nearing clearing the backlog.

The key approvals accorded include the one for Posco's $ 12-billion steel plant in Odisha.

Moily said the due process is being followed by first getting the proposal from the state government, getting it examined by expert panel and appraisal committees.

"Unless it is 100% clear and cleared in respect...Then only it is cleared. There is no comprise of even 1% when approval is given," Moily said.

He made the comments after a few Greenpeace activists staged a brief protest at the start of the conference to oppose clearance given by him for coal mining projects. The protesters who held placards were immediately removed by security.

"I don't want to comment on individual projects but whatever procedure required under law is done. Not even a single out of turn, not even a single short-cut method and process has been used," he said.

The protest comes two days after the MoEF granted Stage II forest clearance to Mahan coal block.