A Parliamentary committee has said that delay in obtaining environmental clearance for coal projects has led to an “alarming situation” and it could impact the economy.
“The delay in obtaining environment clearances has led to an alarming situation...If the present scenario is allowed to continue, the production targets set for coal and lignite companies will come down drastically, affecting the energy sector in particular and Indian economy at large,” the Standing Committee on Coal and Steel said in a report tabled in Rajya Sabha on Monday.
Production of coal has been seriously affected and it is a “nation's loss”, the panel said, strongly recommending that the forest clearance and environment clearance should be given as quickly as possible.
As on date, there are a total of 178 forestry proposals that are awaiting clearances at various levels, including 125 that are awaiting stage 1 clearances and 53, which are awaiting stage II clearances, the government said in the report.
Published 03 September 2012, 19:43 IST