Govt not to ban Balco's mining projects in Chhattisgarh

The government today said there is no proposal to ban public sector firm Bharat Aluminium Company's (Balco) bauxite mining projects in Chhattisgarh.

"The Environment Ministry has accorded environmental and forest clearance to the two bauxite mining projects after following due process," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh replied to a written question in the Lok Sabha.

He said the environmental clearances have been granted to the projects based on the appraisal and recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (Mining) on the basis of the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) reports.

Ramesh said while giving the environment clearances, necessary conditions and environmental safeguard measures have been stipulated for their implementation during the project cycle.