Jairam to give decision on Niyamgiri early next week

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh will announce the ministry’s decision on Orissa Mining Corporation’s application for bauxite mining in Niyamgiri early next week. The minister was expected to announce the decision on Sunday but the announcement has been postponed because Ramesh is visiting Hardwar.

“The members of the Bhagirathi Bachao Sankalp were compelling him to visit the place and he maybe going to Loharinag Pala too,” said an environment ministry official.

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) met yesterday to discuss the recommendations of the N C Saxena panel report that sought a ban on the mining projects of UK-based Vedanta Resources in Orissa. the report is believed to have been accepted by the government.

“The decision on Vedanta will happen soon,” said Ramesh.

However, another official said though the decision had been taken, a formality remains, as a representative of the Orissa government is coming to the capital while the decision is taken. “The decision will happen on Tuesday and it should not look as if it was a unilateral stance,” said the official.