Jayanthi writes to PM, has reservations on planned invt board

The proposed NIB is envisaged to act as a final body for clearing big investment proposals after which no ministry will have power to raise objections.

NDTV reported tonight that Natarajan in her letter has said the manner in which changes have been sought on the issue of granting project approvals was disturbing and she wondered why NIB should step in when decisions like green clearances have to be given by her ministry.

Natarajan's opposition came even as a Cabinet Note on the planned NIB was circulated to the ministries.

The Minister also said the NIB has no constitutional authority and that the proposal will decimate the role of the Environment ministry, the TV channel reported.

Concerned over delay in implementation of mega infrastructure projects, Chidambaram had recently proposed a Prime Minister-headed NIB to accord speedy clearance to big ticket projects.

The Indian industry as well as several union ministries have repeatedly complained that environmental laws and clearances are becoming an impediment in country