The High Court of Karnataka has directed the Ministry of Environment and Forests to take a decision on the permission given to Maruthi Power Gen (India) Private Limited to set up a mini hydel plant, within 30 days.
The direction was given by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen and Justice B V Nagarathna.
The company was given permission to set up a plant near Hongadahalla in Sakaleshpur. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests who submitted a report to the Forests department and High Court stated that though the company had sought an area of 4.17 hectares, the area utilised showed excess land had been allotted.
The company, the report says, will be making use of 9.60 ha, flouting the norms. Based on this report, the Court has now directed the Union ministry to take a call on the permission given to the company.