A day after a violent protest by local farmers, the MoEF on Tuesday ordered suspension of construction work of a power plant in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district. The order comes a day after two people were killed in the police firing on the farmers protesting against the project in Srikakulam.
The ministry sought a report by March 6 from the company East Coast Energy Pvt Ltd on compliance of conditions for environmental clearance. East Coast Energy Pvt Ltd was developing a 2,640 MW super critical coal fired power project in the Santhabommali Mandal, but had been facing protests from farmers and fishermen against the acquisition of land.
The ongoing construction work related to the project should be “suspended forthwith”, the ministry said in its order with regard to the power plant citing recommendations of the expert appraisal committee as a reason to suspend work.
The MoEF would also ascertain whether public hearings had been held before the construction work had started. The case would be heard by the MoEF on March 7 when representatives of the company were expected to be present.
Mr Ramesh threatened to slap another show cause notice on the company promoting the power plant. Describing the killing of farmers as “unfortunate and tragic”, Mr Ramesh said in the Rajya Sabha that this was not the first time that violation had taken place by the concerned company and his ministry had issued a show cause notice earlier as well.
“In view of the nature and the seriousness of the matter, it had been decided that the Expert Appraisal Committee dealing with thermal power projects should consider these and the issue of compliance with the conditions stipulated in the aforesaid environmental clearances in its meeting scheduled to be held on March 7,” the MoEF’s notice added.