MOEF seeks more information on Vedanta University
September 7th, 2010
Following is from a report from Business Standard (via sify.com).
… After rejection of the Stage-II forest clearance for proposed bauxite mining by Vedanta Aluminium Limited (VAL), the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) appears to have trained its guns on the proposed Vedanta University Project (VUP) in the state.
The MoEF, which had suspended the environmental clearance for the university project in May this year over the issues pertaining to the alleged violations of Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) norms, has sought additional information and clarification from the state government.
In a letter to the state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik datd August 26, the Union minister for environment and forest Jairam Ramesh has stated that the information furnished by the Orissa Coastal Zone Management Authority (OCZMA) is not adequate and more information needs to be submitted.
Ramesh has stated in the letter that OCZMA has not furnished the requisite information despite the reminder of the ministry last month.
The MoEF can place the VUP project before the Expert Appraisal Committee only after the receipt of the said information.
Ramesh has also stated that he has received allegations of violations of CRZ norms at the VUP site from MPs, MLAs and even a member of the technical committee of the OCZMA.
It may be noted that the MoEF had granted the environmental nod as well as CRZ clearance for the VUP in April this year.
The VUP to be developed by the Anil Agarwal Foundation has been envisioned to be a multi-disciplinary university of international standards on the Puri-Konark marine drive at an investment of Rs 5000 crore.
The university which will have an intake of 100,000 students will be spread over 6892 acres with a total construction area of 273.68 lakh sq metres.
The university will have provision for quality higher education and cutting-edge research facility in 95 academic disciplines.
Within the planned construction area of the university project, 1500 acres will be devoted to academic block, 1200 acres will be set aside for R&D centre and research work while 1092 acres will be earmarked for green belt and open spaces.
Besides, a township will be built over 2100 acres for the faculty and other staff of the university.
A sports complex spread over 100 acres and an exhibition centre on 100 acres of land are also set to come up as a part of the project.
Entry Filed under: Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri- Khurda area (1),Congress attempt to steal it to Andhra,Environment minister Jairam Ramesh, Congress MP from Andhra, creates hurdles,Vedanta University, Puri
3 Writeup
1. Devasis | September 7th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
This is really sad. Congress Govt is hell bent on not allowing development in Orissa. Why don’t they oppose similar actions in states they are in power. This is Rahul Gandhi’s Polictics and nothing else. Max which can be done is may be ask them to come up in stages and govt to release land in stages.That would be good to also ensure that development as planned happens. There is no good on completely turning the table.
2. Rasmi Ranjan choudhury | September 7th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
Because of this Bad poltics we are loosing the Big investment and most important thing because of our leg pulling nature and our profit we are loosing every where.
This very sad because of this irty congress poltics we are loosing Big investment in our state.
3. MD | September 8th, 2010 at 12:49 am
The continuing impasse on the Vedanta University has a political solution, not a technical one. Therefore in the best interest of the state, the present BJD government should consider an all party meet to sort out any misgivings people have on the project.