A parliamentary panel has expressed shock over the delay in forest clearances to 59 coal projects, hurting production targets of companies, engaged in coal mining. “The committee is shocked to observe that the
inordinate delay in getting forest and environment clearances has been affecting the coal production target by the coal companies,” said the Standing Committee on Coal and Steel. The committee is constrained that as many as 59 coal projects have been held up for want of forest clearances, it said adding, “The committee deprecate that the (coal ministry) has failed to act as a facilitator on behalf of coal companies for getting necessary clearances from different agencies.”