MoEF seeks fresh application on Vedanta expansion

Despite a stay on the proposed expansion of Vedanta's alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Orissa's Kalahandi district, the Centre has now sought a fresh application for the purpose from the state.

This was stated by Orissa's Revenue Minister S N Patro in the assembly while replying to a written question. Patro was speaking on behalf of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who holds the forest and environment portfolio.

"Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) in a letter on January 11 directed authorities of Vedanta project to make fresh application for expansion plan," he said.

On October 20, 2010, MoEF had stayed the proposed expansion of Vedanta's refinery from 1mtpa to 6mtpa. The ministry put the stay stating that provision under section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, were violated.

The authorities of Vedanta, however, moved the ministry and requested it to allow its expansion plan as the company had met all terms and conditions under the EPA, 1986.

Meanwhile, the company had moved Orissa High Court, challenging MoEF's rejection of its refinery expansion plan. The case was pending for disposal.