The Centre held meetings with governments of various coal-bearing states this month with a view to fast-track clearances for projects delayed due to environmental issues, Parliament was informed today.
"Meetings have been held with the chief secretaries of Jharkhand, Orissa and Chhattisgarh in the month of November to expedite the pending forestry and environment clearances of the mining projects," Minister of State for Coal Pratik Prakashbapu Patil said in a reply to the Lok Sabha.
The minister said the Centre was also taking various steps to overcome other problems related to these projects, including land acquisition and law and order.
Follow-up action with land acquisition officials of the state government was being conducted to expedite acquisition proceedings, he said.
Furthermore, the minister said regular meetings were being held with the state authorities to sort out local problems.
"Forest officials are contacted on a regular basis at the district-level to fulfill the requirements and clarifications of their queries. Periodical reviews are being undertaken with the regional offices of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, for expediting the cases," he said.
