In a major set back to the Vedanta University Project of the Anil Agarwal Foundation at Puri in Orissa, the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) today kept in abeyance its earlier order giving environment and CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) clearance to the project.
It also directed the company not to proceed with any construction or development work till the allegations of irregularities perpetuated by the Foundation are examined by an expert appraisal committee (EAC) of the ministry and a final decision is taken. In a communication to the company, the ministry stated that it has received information alleging irregularities, illegal, unethical and unlawful deeds by the Anil Agarwal Foundation.
Objections were also raised during Orissa Coastal Zone Management Authority (CZMA) meeting and these objections haven’t been considered appropriately while granting the CRZ and environment clearance to the Foundation. The ministry was of the view that the issues raised are relevant and need detail examination. The permission granted to the company on 16 April 2010 has been kept in abeyance till a final decision is taken by the ministry.
The latest decision of the MoEF comes as a shock for the Anil Agarwal Foundation which is planning to set up a multi-disciplinary, world-class university near Puri.
