Ramesh: Posco decision in a couple of weeks

Nov 20, 2010 - Age Correspondent |

New Delhi

Environment minister Jairam Ramesh on Friday stated that decision in the Posco case will be taken within a couple of weeks. The fate of South Korean giant Posco’s `54,000 crores integrated steel plant in Orissa has been hanging in balance.

Mr Ramesh stated that was not aware of any suggestions made by the Forest Appraisal Committee (FAC), noting that he was yet to get the report. “It is a complex issue. Facts are being considered and we will take an integrated call and final view on it which will be fair and balanced. We have to review recommendations of the FAC and the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) on infrastructure and coastal regulation zone (CRZ),” he stated on the sidelines of a function.
“However, it is clear that we would not take months to decide its fate. The decision will be taken within a couple of weeks,” Mr Ramesh said on the sidelines of a function here. He maintained that the FAC was a statutory body and as a minister he would not intervene into its decision.
Meanwhile, the PTI quoted sources in the environment ministry saying the FAC has suggested temporary rejection of the forest clearance to the project which may make things difficult for Posco in getting nod for the steel plant. “They disfavoured forest clearance to the project as they felt that there were serious violation of the Forest Rights Act at the site in Jagatsinghpur district,” it added.

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