Mining Update, July - Vasundhara

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MINING AND INDUSTRIALISATION UPDATE, ORISSA

ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION ON INDUSTRIES AND MINING IN ORISSA

July-August, 2008 LIST OF CONTENTS Editorial 1 Cartoon Space 2 News Items 3-33 Public Hearings Notices 34 Environmental Clearance 35-88 Letters Forest Clearane Letters 89-92

E D I T O R I A L Orissa has been well acquainted with the calamities like cyclone, drought, high tide, sun stroke, flood etc. Recently an acute environmental hazard, acid rain is added to the list. Acid rain, though it is a world phenomena, but all new to Orissa. A muddy rainfall suspected to be 'acid rain' lashed some areas of western Orissa, creating panic among ecologists as it signifies severe degeneration to the ecological system. The leaves lost their greenery, and in contact with eyes and skin they cause itching, thus signifying acid rain, though it is not confirmed from the Government's side. The rain affected a wide area stretching from Bargarh to Bhawanipatna (Kalahandi), but the Government is yet to express any concern over the disturbing phenomenon.

When poisonous gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide, emitted from the thermal power plants come in contact with atmospheric air, they form sulphuric acid and nitric acid, causing acid rain. These gases, mixed with atmospheric air, can affect the areas lying hundreds of kilometers away from the place of occurrence. Ecologists expressed deep concern over the fact that crop fields and forests of the State's western belt would be severely affected if it is actually acid rain. They cited the reasons causing the rain in the area -- gas emitted from various industries and plants, heat emitted by chemical fertilisers used in agricultural lands, methane gas emitted from Hirakud Dam and chloro fluoro carbon emitted from motor vehicles. Acid rain may cause serious ailments like cancer and may be dangerous to newborn babies. So there need to be thorough investigation to the matter. As industrialization is going on in a geometric progression in the state, this type of incident is not unexpected. This is only the beginning of the devastation. What is now occurring in western Orissa, will be found through out the state tororrow . The govt. & people of Orissa should take it as an alarm bell before it is toolate.

Editor

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Cartoon Space

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N e w s

MONTH-JULY Memorial pillar for deceased anti POSCO man erected in Govindapur The Orissa Diary, 1 July, 2008 Paradip: The trouble torn proposed POSCO site Govindapur village under Kujanga area again turned awake on Monday night causing huge gathering of anti project people from locality and outsiders in the event last rite occasion of the deceased Dula Mandal. The Posco Pratirodha Sangrama Samittee [PPSS] organized a condolence meeting on the occasion where activists from anti industrialization groups across the state and few leftist leaders were present and unanimously declared the deceased anti POSCO man is a martyr for opposing POSCO in Kujanga. A memorial pillar was erected in his native village before the condolence meeting and speakers asserted the pillar would recalled how a village hero sacrificed his life in the hand of pro project people while opposing POSCO project and a two minutes silence was observed paying tribute to the deceased mortal. Moreover PPSS activists endorsed a proposal renaming the Jatadhari Ghat in to Dula Ghat in Patana village where the locals cross the river Jatadhari in boat accessing Paradip and Kujanga areas. Earlier the PPSS sympathizers took out a procession covered entire Dhinkia and Govindapur villages and shouted slogan against the POSCO and its project sympathizers who thrown bombs to anti project people in Govindapur school on 20 June for which injured Dula passed away in hospital and others two injured persons are still struggling for life in SCB Medical

college and Hospital, Cuttack. Meanwhile reports said PPSS members received respite on Monday after the activists returned back the two excavators forcibly brought for the Jatadhari mouth digging on 28 June from the Dharti construction company premises near IOC area. Notable to inform about 200 PPSS activists armed with weapons barked in to the Dhariti site office and took away two excavators and allegedly used both machines in digging works for which the company officials had lodged an FIR in Paradip police station on 28 June but no action had taken till date. Sources said after safe returned of excavators and its crewmembers virtually closed down the case in police station. From the pro POSCO camp complete silence have been observed since past three days, sources added project sympathizers from Nuagaon, Gadakujanga, Noliasahi including Govindapur have worried a lot when police picked up 26 pro men from Govindapur school and sent them to Kujanga jail charging murder case since last ten days. However recovery of arms, ammunitions, crude bombs and explosive materials from Govindapur school on 26 June further aggravate the situation while many claimed the alleged accused persons are languishing in jail without fault and in absence of committing any crime and not involving the bomb explosion case however efforts are on to bailed out them early, said Nirvaya Samantray , a pro POSCO leader. Amidst chaos proceeds in project site villages, POSCO authorities have moved helping the students living in POSCO transit colony home for the 52 pro project victims since one year. About 35 primary students living in the colony would be admitted in local Manapur school including 15 students would be enrolled in Chatua high school for studying in different classes. A senior

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POSCO official from Kujanga said the district inspector of schools and circle inspector of schools have been requested to act on the bid urgently moreover report said two students from the transit colony those appeared in this year HSC examination have passed out successful and POSCO has given indication giving them financial assistance for the higher study. Vedanta Aluminium launches first product in market Pioneer News Service, 2 July, 2008 Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Jharsuguda, on Saturday dispatched its first production (metal) for sale in open market. Local MLA Kishore Mohanty ceremonially inaugurated the product launching of the 2.5-lakh-tonne capacity alumina project. Mohanty said that while industries in Jharsuguda district were previously being closed one by one; the Naveen Patnaik Government with a commitment to establish new industrial projects in the district, has successfully fulfilled the dream, transforming the district into an industrially rich region. The Vedanta project holds the key to enrichment of Jharsuguda district as well as of the State, he said. He observed that before starting production, Vedanta's contribution to development of the peripheral area has been remarkable. In the near future, Vedanta Aluminium has plans to establish a sports complex and start Apollo Hospital in the district, he said and appreciated Vedanta's endeavour of spending Rs 2.5 crore towards development of the District Headquarters Hospital. Senior officer of Vedanta Aluminium, Pankaj Khanna, said the Vedanta project situated at Vurkamunda accomplished its goal of aluminium production one year before the targeted time, thus creating a record of fastest production in the aluminium sector. Among others, senior officer of Vedanta, Abhijit Pati and former municipality chairman

Tapas Roy Chowdhry attended the ceremony. Ecologists panic as 'acid rain' lashes western Orissa Pioneer News Service, 2 July, 2008 On June19, a muddy rainfall suspected to be 'acid rain' lashed some areas of western Orissa, creating panic among ecologists as it signifies severe degeneration to the ecological system. Confusion, however, prevails as to whether it was acid rain or not, and the Western Orissa Intellectual Association has asked the Government to send a scientists' team to probe into the matter. In a Press conference called by the association, Prof Durga Prasad Nayak demonstrated the leaves affected by the muddy rain, which were collected from Bhawanipatna. The leaves lost their greenery, and in contact with eyes and skin they cause itching, thus signifying acid rain, though it is not confirmed from the Government's side. The rain affected a wide area stretching from Bargarh to Bhawanipatna (Kalahandi), but the Government is yet to express any concern over the disturbing phenomenon. It is also unfortunate that despite there being a separate department for Environmental Science in the Sambalpur University there has been no suggestion from the university regarding the phenomenon. When poisonous gases like sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide, emitted from the thermal power plants come in contact with atmospheric air, they form sulphuric acid and nitric acid, causing acid rain. These gases, mixed with atmospheric air, can affect the areas lying hundreds of kilometers away from the place of occurrence. An ecology researcher, Ranjan Panda, who has done his research in the field of water resources, expressed deep concern over the fact that crop fields and forests of the State's western belt would be severely affected if it is actually acid rain. He cited the reasons causing the rain in the area -- gas emitted from various industries

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and plants, heat emitted by chemical fertilisers used in agricultural lands, methane gas emitted from Hirakud Dam and chloro fluoro carbon emitted from motor vehicles. Acid rain may cause serious ailments like cancer and may be dangerous to newborn babies. He also agreed to the theory of hole in the ozone layer. At the end of the conference, a group of representatives, led by Dilip Padhi, went to meet the Sambalpur varsity vice-chancellor Prof Uday Chandra Biswal and requested him to make an investigation on the rain-affected leaves. The vice-chancellor deputed Prof PC Mishra of Environmental Science will undertake the study. ‘Tata Steel project work to start soon’ Express News Service, 2 July, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: Managing Director of Tata Steel B Muthuraman on Tuesday said the work on the company’s steel project at Kalinga Nagar will be started within a month. Muthuraman met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Secretariat here to discuss the progress of the steel project at Kalinga Nagar in Jajpur district.The project work has not progressed since the firing incident on January 2, 2006. The local people had protested the construction of the boundary wall of the project. Tension prevailed at Kalinga Nagar on June 25 when some contractors went to the troubled area to restart construction of the incomplete boundary wall. The contractors were chased away by the irate villagers and their motorcycles set afire. Talking to mediapersons after meeting the Chief Minister, Muthuraman said that resettlement and rehabilitation work is also on simultaneously. To a question, Muthuraman said Tata Steel has applied for mines for the project.

Clusters of ancillary units in dists soon

ENS, 2 July, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided to set up clusters of ancillary industries at several places of the State besides the mega projects. A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Secretariat on Tuesday. The clusters will be established at Angul, Khurda and Paradip. Official sources said an aluminium park will be set up at Angul, while at Malipada near Khurda food processing units will be established. A cluster of wood-based industries will be set up at Paradip. The aluminium park will be set up on 200 acres of land. The cluster of food processing units will also be set up on 200 acres at Malipada. A special purpose vehicle has been constituted by IDCO IDCO and APICOL for the cluster.

New committee formed to agitate against JSPL

Statesman News Service

ANGUL, June 2: Besides the existing Jindal Khyatigrastha Praja Samity, a new body called Jindal Khyatighrastha and Pariparshik Ganasangram Committee has been floated to launch an agitation against Jindal Steel and Power Limited, the steel major, for the fulfillment of their demands. Today, hundreds of affected villagers of the Jindal steel plant project gathered under the banner of the new body and staged a demonstration. They submitted a memorandum to the district authorities seeking fulfillment of their demands which included compensation against land at the rate of Rs 15 lakh per acre, jobs to all unemployed youth of the affected villages, unemployment allowances till they find a job and peripheral developmental programmes. The Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory committee (RPDAC) of JSPL in its last sitting had rejected the Rs 15 lakh compensation demand that they had placed earlier. JSPL is setting up a 12 million ton

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annual capacity plant in two phases near Angul.

Posco standoff turns students into truants


JAGATSINGHPUR, July 2: The fate of the proposed mega-steel project Posco is still in limbo. It was aggravated by a string of events, ridden with violence ~ the recent recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunitions from Govindpur primary school, the death of Dula Mandal and the palm-chopping of Mr Natabar Khatua. The education of the village children has come to a grinding halt due to the fracas over the recent recovery of arms and weapons from the school, billed as the ‘arms depot’. According to sources, many students of Govindpur primary school already became truants due to unabated violence. After the recovery of arms from there, student strength, which is now 150, has hit the rock bottom. The anti-Posco group members are reluctant to send their wards to the school, anticipating wrath from the project supporters, who have allegedly used the school building to hoard weapons. The protestors said this may prove detrimental to the children. One anti-Posco activist, Mr Pradip Burdhan said he has stopped sending his children to the school for fear of their safety. He also said the project supporters have hidden arms in the school to avenge them.The project supporters are in no different situation. While 26 pro-Posco supporters have been arrested by police over the Dula Mandal murder case, others have reportedly abandoned their houses, anticipating retaliation from their rivals. Sudhir Mandal, a student of Govindpur primary school said a great divide has come into play among the children. Children of pro-Posco families stick together and ridicule the ones from their rival group. Some even alleged that school bags, study materials and books provided by Posco were burnt by a handful

of students. The school headmaster, Ms Pankajini Gantayat has complained that students have stopped coming to the school altogether in the wake of these incidents.

Tata Steel to start construction work in a month: Muthuraman Pioneer News Service, 3 July , 2008 Tata Steel Managing Director D Muthuraman on Tuesday called on the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and discussed about the progress of the construction of the work for its proposed six million tonnes plant proposed to be set in Kalinga Nagar area at an investment of Rs 15,000 crore. Talking to reporters, Muthuraman said the company would start construction work within one month. The company has applied for mines to ensure uninterrupted supply of iron ore for the steel plant. On people facing displacement due to the project, Muthuraman said the process of rehabilitation of affected families was already in progress with steps being taken in this direction. The project work was delayed due to the Kalinga Nagar shoot out in 2006 that led to the killing of 14 people.

Vedanta gesture to anganwadi children

The Hindu,8 July, 2008

Bhubaneswar: In a bid to widen its corporate social responsibility, the Vedanta group has embarked on a mission to care for more than 40,000 anganwadi children in some of the State’s most backward areas. The Vedanta Aluminium Limited has entered into a MoU with the Orissa government and Sterlite Foundation for adopting 400 anganwadis in Kalahandi district, where its alumina refinery has started trial production at

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Langjigarh, Vedanta group spokesman C.V. Krishnan told PTI. The same process was being implemented in Kalahandi and would be replicated in Jharsuguda. “As every anganwadi has 40 children, the company will be looking after the welfare, food and healthcare requirements of more than 40,000 children,” Krishnan said. The decision to adopt the anganwadis, he said, was taken on the basis of the company’s experiment of running 100 child welfare centres in different places of the country. As part of the arrangement, every pre-school child aged between three and six years would be provided a hot cooked meal of 300 calories at noon, said another Vedanta official.

Villagers to refuse part with their lands


JAGATSINGHPUR, July 4: Villagers of Marichpur, Barmunduli, and Naharana of Balikuda block have refused to provide land to the Indian Farmer’s Fertilisers Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO), Paradip for planting trees. IFFCO representatives and revenue officials who went to these villages for survey and land demarcation returned recently following protests by the villagers. The district administration had decided to give 70 acres of land to IFFCO at Nadiakhia, Mankadkhia areas of these three panchayats close to the mouth of the river Devi for afforestation and protection against ingress of water. IFFCO has undertaken various development projects and district authorities proposed that IFFCO might create a tree cover at the mouth of the river in Balikuda block area. The company had agreed to do so. Villagers protesting against such work allege that the natural forest cover is being sold to companies, timber mafias and others engaged in illegal prawn farming, and the administration is trying to snatch away land from poor villagers. Earlier, the president of Anchlika Upkal Bachao Samity Mr Pratap Sahoo had filed a public interest litigation in High Court to

check the illegal cutting of trees and soil erosion in coastal villages of Erasama and Balikuda. Marchipur has a rich cultural heritage and a port at the mouth of river Devi named Harishpur. This area was the first in the eastern region where the British started their commercial activities. Sarpanch of Marichpur Mr Bhikari Biswal, Barmunduli sarpanch Mr Rabindra Senapati and Naharana sarpanch Ms Jayanti Sahani said that the villagers are determined not part with their lands.

Recycled polythene: PCB expresses inability to implement court order

The Hindu,10 July, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: Expressing inability to carry out High Court’s order banning manufacture, import, storage and use of recycled polythene in the State, Orissa State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) has said defaulters could not be taken to the task unless there is a separate piece of legislation in this regard. According to an affidavit filed by Bhagabat Prasad Pattajoshi, OSPCB law officer with the High Court, the board has requested the State government to bring in legislation on urgent basis, if necessary, through an ordinance in line with the court order. “As per the provision of Recycled Plastic Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999, notified under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, manufacture/use of recycled plastic carry bags are not prohibited entirely and only thickness of 20 micron is prohibited. As a result there will be legal problem in the existing statute and action against the defaulters cannot be taken,” Mr. Pattajoshi said in the affidavit. On April 24, High Court directed OSPCB and industries department to ensure effective implementation of the order banning recycled polythene in the State. Taking a tough stance, the High Court also ordered to submit compliance reports it separately just after 15 days from the ban came into effect. “We are forced to encroach upon the

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administrative domain of the State government because it (State government) did not take any step to phase out the use of recycled polythene which is detrimental to environment and local ecology,” said a HC bench. It further observed that while as many 13 states in the country had already banned the use of recycled polythene of less than 20 microns, the Orissa government did not bother to take any action in this regard despite sufficient time was given to it.“ Orissa has become a dumping ground of recycled polythene because 80 per cent of such materials are imported from outside,” the bench observed. Meanwhile, the board has written the Commissioner of commercial taxes to take steps prohibiting entry of recycled polythene bags into the State. Moreover, the board issued closure notice to three Jagatpur-based manufactures such as Maa Vaishnodevi Plastics, Maa Durga Polymer and Akhandalamani Polythene. District magistrate and superintendent of police of Cuttack as well as authorities of Central Electricity Supply Utility were communicated to implement the closure notices.

Meghalaya to get coal from Orissa The Pioneer, 11 July,2008 The Meghalaya Government has evinced keen interest to get coal from the Mandakini coal block in the State. The coal would be supplied to the thermal power plant in Meghalaya for production of power. Union Coal Ministry has allocated the Mandakini coal block to the four States. Besides, Meghalaya, Assam, Orissa and Tamil Nadu have their shares in the Mandakini coal block in Orissa. In the first phase, Meghalaya Government would invest Rs 2 crore to tap coal from the Mandakini coal block. Meghalaya depends only on hydro-electricity and other sources for generating electricity are yet to be tapped. Though, Meghalaya has hydro-power potential of around 3,000 MW, the present power

generation of the State is only 175 MW and the current demand is over 600 MW. Despite Meghalaya having abundant coal reserve, it has not been tapped by setting up thermal power plants. PMO lauds progress on steel projects in Orissa The Pioneer, 12 July, 2008 For the first time, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, TKA Nair, appeared happy with the progress card of the upcoming mega steel plants in Orissa. He was reviewing the progress of the State's 10 major steel projects in New Delhi on Friday. "I am really happy to see that Orissa has made very good progress in this regard," Nair was quoted by an Orissa officer as remarking. Nair, along with a host of Secretaries of the various Union Ministries, took stock of the situation at the field level in the South Block. The two-hour meeting dwelt on various problems relating to land, mine, forest clearance, ports and roads. Secretary of Shipping Brahma Dutt, Secretary of Forest and Environment Vijay Mishra, Additional Secretary of Finance S Khullar and senior officials of the Railway Board, Ministry of Steel and Mines and other departments were present. Chief Secretary of Orissa Ajit Kumar Tripathy led the team of the officers of the State. Secretary of Industries, Steel and Mines Ashok Dalwai made the presentation on behalf of the State Government. Giving out details, Dalwai said that out of the 49 major steel projects for which MoUs were signed with the State Government, 28 have gone into production. Out of the proposed Rs 2, 00,749-crore of investment, Rs 21,000 crore has already been spent. This is apart from Tata Steel placing orders of Rs 5,000 crore for machineries to set up its project at Kalinga Nagar. Till date, 54,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities have been created and Rs 2,500 crore of Central taxes and VAT have been paid by the steel companies. Dr Dalwai assured the meeting

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that as 17 steel companies have presented their financial closures, their cases for mines are being processed. Out of them, the State Government has finalised eight cases, and by August-end two more cases would be cleared. As for the Posco project, Dalwai said that by the end of August, the mines proposal is likely to be finalised. Once the forest clearance from the Supreme Court is available, the South Korean steel major can go ahead with construction work in the site, he said, adding that as there has been some trouble at Dhinkia, Posco might begin the construction work from the other side of the land.

Villagers petition police against mining

The Pioneer, 12 July,2008

KORAPUT: Mali Parvat in Koraput district has once again come into the lime light today when hundreds of villagers from Kankada Ambo, Maliguda, Tentuliguda, Mugunaguda and Dekapar villages in Semiliguda block marched into the police station in Semiliguda to press their demands to take action against the people from the company engaged in Bauxite mining from the mountains near their villages. While the villagers had opposed any move by the company for mining in the region, the company was trying to divide the unity of the villagers by bringing some tribal youth into the front as the representative of the company rather than coming directly to face the people, Arjun Khilo, Secretary, Mali Parvat Surakhya Samiti said. The villagers had only objected the entry of the vehicles and machineries of the company which were trying to enter the mountains near the villages on Thursday while they were attacked by the people from the company, he added.While there were reports submitted to the police from both the sides, any move to suppress the villagers’ movement would not be tolerated, Prafulla Samantra, State president, Lokshakti Abhiyaan said while

expressing his support to the movement of the villagers.

Biodiversity plan calls for restoration of natural vegetation

The Pioneer, 12 July,2008

BHUBANESWAR: The State Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (SBSAP) which was released here on Saturday called for implementation of suitable methods of top soil management and restoration of natural vegetation. The recommendation assumed significance in view of the unprecedented investment proposals in mineral sector in the State. Going by the memoranda of understanding signed by the State government with private companies, at least 74 million tonne per annum steel production and 16,000 mw of thermal power generation are projected within a decade from now. It would require large-scale mining of iron ore as well as coal. Nature and Wildlife Conservation Society of Orissa (NWCSO), a voluntary organisation, had prepared the SBSAP as part of the National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (NBSAP). “It has been clearly mentioned in the Mining Act 1960 that the topsoil removed in mining area while refilling it should be spread over on the top of barren soil, so that natural vegetation can come up, “SBSAP said. It, however, expressed concerns that, “in no mining site this practice is being followed. It seems the mines ignore the importance of top soil and dump it wherever they like and at times even cover it with soil coming from underground. “Pointing out that a natural vegetation and balanced ecosystem cannot be compensated through manmade afforestation, the SBSAP stated non-exotic species should be allowed to grow naturally on the properly utilised top soil. Researchers also called for a public surveillance on mining sites. “The mining site should properly be inspected at regular intervals by the government, non-government and NGOs to see whether the miners stick to the

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regulations or not. “Further, in each and every mining site at lest 10 per cent to 15 per cent of the leased area should be kept undisturbed and protected which should remain as an eye opener for the miners, beneficiaries and general public to compare past with the present and predict the loss being made to bio-resources. Although the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) did not the NBSAP, several states had come out with their respective action plans for preservation of bio-diversity. The report was released on the occasion of NWCSO’s silver jubilee meeting here. Ajit Kumar Patnaik, honorary secretary of the organisation gave a brief description about the activities undertaken by the NWCSO. Among others S. K. Patnaik, working president of the NWCSO and M. F Ahmed, former Inspector General of Forest (MoEF), were present.

‘No SAIL, HSCL merger’


BHUBANESWAR, July 14: Sundergarh MP and BJP national vice-president Mr Juel Oram today claimed that the Union minister of steel, chemicals and fertilisers Mr Ram Vilas Paswan has informed that the government has ruled out the merger of Hindustan Steelworks Construction Limited (HSCL) and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL). "The merger is not possible as there is no synergy of operation between the two units," Mr Paswan has reportedly informed the MP. In a recent communiqué to Mr Oram, the Union minister has said that his ministry has already submitted a note of proposal for revival and restructuring of HSCL to the Board for ReconstructionM of Public Sector Enterprises. "The said proposal is aimed at strengthening the financial condition, manpower and management structure of the company, which will also take care of the problems presently being faced by the staff of HSCL," Mr Paswan said. It may be recalled here that Mr Oram had shot of a missive to the Union minister highlighting various grievances of

HSCL employees and the problems faced by them. The main demands of the HSCL employees were enhancement of retirement age from 58 to 60, release of daily allowances, leave encashment and restoration of suspended fringe benefits such as LTC and LLTC. The employees also demanded the posting of engineers at the Rourkela unit of HSCL claiming that since the last two years, no recruitment has been made at HSCL, Rourkela in spite of heavy input of modernisation packages. It may be mentioned here that since its inception, HSCL was a subsidiary of SAIL and it was pulled out of SAIL in the year 1977. It was made an independent PSU under the steel ministry.

‘Vedanta rehabilitation package is best in state’


BHUBANESWAR, July 14: Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL) offers the best rehabilitation package in the state, claimed company sources here recently. The company aims to reduce the impact of its activities on the environment, wherever feasible. The majority of the sites are certified by the international environmental management systems standard ISO 14001. This includes the requirement that environmental impacts are identified. There are ongoing programmes for improvement across key impact areas, they said. Responding to the critics of its bauxite mining project at Kalahandi, Vedanta officials said that all 120 families that were displaced for the project have got pucca houses with round-the-clock electricity and water supply. Besides one youth from each displaced family has been trained and given a job in the refinery, adding that a total of 2,500 local people have found employment in the refinery project till date. “While about 2000 people had got direct employment at the refinery in Lanjigarh, over 2000 others were getting indirect income generating

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opportunities,” company sources said. Vedanta has also started the ‘Sasya Silpa Abhijan’ an initiative of vegetable cultivation, run in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Sustainable Development to give a boost to agriculture in the area. “On an area of 550 acres of land, nearly 500 farmers are participating in the project as partners," said a senior official. “Although we bear the expenses for irrigation through a diesel pump set by us, yet the training and support provided by Vedanta through this programme has helped us a lot,” said Mr Dinanath Pangi, a farmer. Vedanta also offers various self-employment schemes for residents of the villages nearby and especially for the womenfolk. Women self-help-groups have been started under public-private partnership in collaboration with the district health department on the Swastha Parivar project. In a bid to widen its corporate social responsibility, the Vedanta group has also adopted 400 Anganwadi centres in Kalahandi district and will look after more than 40,000 children in some of the state’s most backward areas. “Vedanta has signed an MoU with the state government and the Sterlite Foundation for the adoptions,” said Vedanta group spokesman Mr CV Krishnan. “As a part of the arrangement, every pre-school child aged between three and six years will be provided a cooked meal of 300 calories at noon. The company will also look after the health of the children through regular check ups and medicines,” he added. He further said that the company is also undertaking the beautification of the Anganwadis by erecting green boundaries, whitewashing buildings and providing see-saws and slides for the children. Furthermore incentives are being provided to Anganwadi workers. While Anganwadi workers receive Rs 250 per month, each helper is given Rs 150 extra by the company. “The same exercise will also be replicated in Jharsuguda,” Mr Krishnan said. The total expenditure on child welfare activities in the two districts will be over Rs 15 crore, company officials revealed. In order to ensure that everything

goes as per plan, the process will be reviewed by a committee headed by the district collector, the local MLA and the chairman of panchayat samity, they said. Mr Krishnan said that Vedanta further aims to improve the electricity network, construct roads and develop better educational and healthcare facilities.

Gondia villagers retort use of crusher units


BHUBANESWAR, July 14: A section of the villagers of Gondia are waging a battle against the crusher units that have sprouted in the region causing pollution and making their lives miserable. Undeterred by the odds that are heavily loaded against them, the villagers have formed an ‘Anchalika Sangram Samity’ to carry forward their struggle. A few influential ruling party leaders have joined hands with crusher unit owners and are minting money at the cost of people's lives, crops and forest land, charged the samity members.Talking to reporters here recently, people of Nihalprasad area said they have even moved the law courts and obtained favourable orders. Yet the administration is unable to check or enforce the rule of law in the area, they alleged. Though the High Court, while hearing a PIL filed by a local villager, has issued a stay-order forbidding the operation of certain crusher units, the owners defy and in connivance with certain political leaders continue their operations, charged the samity president Mr Gokulananda Sahoo. The crusher units have caused serious health hazards for the locals. Many locals have been affected with asthma, TB and eye diseases from dust particles. Agricultural fields have been adversely affected, Mr Sahoo alleged. The level of ground water has also gone down, bringing untold misery. Similarly, acoustic capacity of many people has decreased by the regular explosion of gunpowder for wagon drilling,

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he pointed out. Though the concerned government departments have been informed of such practices umpteen times, no one paid any heed, the villagers rued. Granite quarries are occupied illegally by those who have money power and are backed by ruling party leaders. If the concerned authorities fail to intervene, villagers of Nihalprasad will resort to agitation and forcefully stop all such activity including transport and crushing activity in the area, warned the samity members.

'Land acquisition not the sole reason' Express News Service, 14 July, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: With proposed mega steel projects stuck up for one reason or the other, the Centre again reviewed the progress of the memoranda of understanding (MoUs) signed by the Orissa Government with various companies in this connection. The Prime Minister’ Office (PMO) reviewed the progress of the steel projects in Orissa last week in New Delhi apparently to give a push to the much publicised industrialisation of the State. While the Posco plant is yet to make progress even three years after signing of the MoU with the State Government, the Kalinga Nagar plant by the Tatas is also hanging fire. The proposed plant of the Arcelor-Mittal in Keonjhar district has also not made much headway.Official sources attributed the delay in Posco project to lack of raw material linkage and forest diversion clearance. The State Government has informed the Centre that land acquisition is not the sole problem for the proposed greenfield steel mill. The project awaits forest diversion clearance and iron ore mine lease. Once these two requirements are obtained, there would be no problem in starting physical construction at the proposed site. Sources maintained that the mines proposal of the Posco project is likely to be finalised by August-end. The South Korean company can proceed with the

construction work once the forest clearance from the Supreme Court is available. The State Government has also asked the South Korean major to announce a revised rehabilitation package taking into consideration the demands of the local people. Once it is done, there would be no opposition from the local people. The company which signed the MoU with the State Government on June 22, 2005 to invest Rs 51,000 crore in its proposed 12 mtpa plant, had been unable to acquire land at the proposed site even as it was allotted 193.55 acre of land out of its total requirement of 4,004.21 acre. Of the total land, Posco required forest diversion approval for 2,958.79 acre. Balance 607.71 acre came under non-forest government land while the private land was only 437.68 acre. However, the steel sector scenario in the State is not so much disappointing despite hiccups. The Centre was informed that out of the 49 MoUs signed for establishment of steel plants in the State, 28 have gone into production. Out of the Rs 2,00,000 crore proposed investment, Rs 21,000 crore had already been invested. So far, 54,000 direct and indirect jobs have been created while the steel companies have paid Rs 2,500 crore in the form of Central taxes and VAT.

No plying of mineral carrying trucks till completion of work Express News Service, 16 July, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: Mineral carrying trucks will be barred from plying on the Cuttack-Paradip road till the completion of the road project work. Progress of the project work was reviewed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at a high level meeting here at the Secretariat today.Work on the project has been hampered due to delay in the shifting of electric lines and movement of mineral carrying trucks.The Works Department has paid Rs 4.41 crore to the Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) for shifting electric poles, Rs 1.58 crore to Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) for shifting of tube

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wells, Rs 1.57 crore to the Public Health Department for shifting of pipelines and Rs 5.56 lakh to Cuttack Municipality. Official sources said the Energy Department should stick to the time period of shifting the electric poles by August 15. The number of trucks carrying minerals has increased in Cuttack- Paradip road due to restriction on plying of vehicles on the Chandikhol to Paradip road.The road condition is not suitable for heavy traffic and the high volume of mineral traffic is damaging the inadequate crust of the road and the condition is more severe during rainy season.It was proposed that checkgate should be erected on the road to check plying of trucks. Tree cutting has been completed on a part of the proposed road. Cutting of trees will be taken up on the first 24 km patch after forest clearance. Progress of the Rajmahal flyover work was also reviewed by the Chief Minister. He was informed by officials that the three level grade separated junction at Rajmahal square will be carried out in two phases and tender for this will be floated soon. Official sources said the Chief Minister advised to integrate pedestrian crossing facility in the project planning. Works Minister AU Singhdeo and senior officials were present.

IMFA secures 2nd runner up positio

Express News Service, 16 July, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd (IMFA) has secured the second runner up position in the Minerals & Metals Sector under Large Exporters’ Category of the D&B - ECGC Indian Exporters’ Excellence Awards, which were announced recently in Mumbai. The five parameters considered in ranking companies included total export revenue, growth of export revenue, export revenue contribution to total turnover, net profit and growth in turnover.

School puts on lock after clash between anti and pro POSCO project men The Orissa Diary, July 16, 2008 Paradip: Amid the confusion surrounding for the proposed POSCO project in Kujanga area, a recent incident worries habitants and uncertainty is looming large future of about 300 primary students as the Govindapur primary school where the students are studying has remained lock since pro and anti project groups clash happened on June 20. The school headmistress who was a habitant of Govindapur has been ostracized by the anti project men for which she has put shelter in POSCO transit colony in Badagabapur village, her house has been ransacked and looted by the anti group people and the school went on lock up since June 20. A peculiar situation has surfaced the anti project habitants pressurize teachers to break the locks and start the school where students are coming usually but they refuse to act on the villagers wish. Reports said putting the school on lock the alleged headmistress Pankajini Pradhan went on leave and trying for transfer and no mood returning to school again where she was humiliated and assaulted at the hands of anti POSCO villagers including her family members after the Govindapur bomb blast incident on June 20. Reports said the alleged Govindapur school came under controversy and classes were badly hit when 10 platoon police forces sheltered on November 29,2007 during week long agitation by the anti project group and on April 20 the police forces had withdrawn from the school after earning pressure from different quarters. However the school earned bad name on June 20 when about 59 pro POSCO people sheltered in school allegedly thrown bombs to anti project people as result one killed and other two received injuries later police picked up 26 people from the school and sent them to court charging murder case against them on June 24. But the incident on June 25 surprised habitants that on police

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investigation it recovered 23 bombs, 3 swords, explosive materials, 300 POSCO sponsored bags, books and Khatas on POSCO banner that stored in the school in a isolated room. Police quipped headmistress in the incident but she simply replied her ignorance how these alleged materials came to school. Meanwhile reports said the headmistress son was one of them those picked up from the school in bomb throwing incident and his husband Babi Parida a senior pro POSCO man of the locality so she received wrath of anti project habitants and stayed away from the school after locking it since June 20. The situation resented among the parents and guardians in village those want the school should open forthwith or giving them transfer certificate of students those require shift to other school. A teacher of the school with condition anonymity said three of my colleagues are coming to school daily and few students attending classes since Monday when the reports reached the headmistress has transferred to local Manapur primary school and she handed over the charge to district inspector of school Tirtol last week. When contacted district inspector of school revealed the alleged headmistress has been transferred who was in charge headmistress of the Govindapur primary school and the school is functioning since last week. Naveen wants investors to improve communication with people The Orissa Diary, 18 July, 2008 Bhubaneswar: With major steel projects running into rough weather in Orissa, which is targetting a production of 45 mtpa steel in next four years, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today urged investors to learn the art of communicating with the people in a transparent manner. Pointing out that the future of industrial sector lay in addressing people's issues with speed and compassion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said no mining or industrial activity could take place

unless people support. "Project proponents must be willing to share with the people the benfit of their projects," Patnaik said, while addressing a seminaron 'Mineral junction: The future ahead', organised by the CII. He said the people should be stakeholders in the projects which were coming up in their localities. The Chief Minister said the state was ranked ahead of others in terms of value of total envisaged projects and also in terms of value of total projects under implementation. "We are ahead of the other top ranking states like Gujarat, Maharastra, Karnataka and Haryana. The rank has been held by us for three consecutive years-2005, 2006 and 2007," Patnaik told the gathering of investors. He said while envisaged projects account for an investment of about Rs 6 lakh crore, projects worth Rs 3 lakh crore were in implemenattion stage. Hopeful of the state achieving its target of 45 mtpa steel production by 2012, Orissa's Steel and Mines, Industries Secretary Ashok Dalwai said the projects which were in implementation stage would start production in next four years.

NALCO reports profit of Rs. 525 cr.

The Hindu, 18 July, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: The National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has reported profit after tax of Rs. 525.33 crores for the 1st quarter ended June 30, registering an increase of 17.6 per cent over Rs. 446.66 crores achieved in the corresponding period of last fiscal. According to the results taken on record at a meeting of the company’s Board of Directors here on Thursday, the company also recorded a jump of 24.8 per cent in its turnover. It reported a turnover of Rs. 1606.41 crores, compared to Rs. 1287.12 crores achieved in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.On the sales front, the company sold 2,21,405 MT of alumina in the 1st quarter, which was 2,07,765 MT in the corresponding period a year ago.

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Similarly, the aluminium sale increased from 75,858 MT to 84,103 MT during the comparable quarter.

Don't let Gopalpur rehab go K' Nagar way: RDC to Tata Pioneer News Service, 18 July,2008 Cautioning Tata Steel officials not to repeat the Kalinga Nagar tragedy at Gopalpur while dealing with displaced persons Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Southern) Satyabrata Sahu on Thursday ordered an inquiry on missing oustees asking Collector in-charge to submit a report within one month. A meeting convened at the RDC's conference hall was attended by Berhampur SP Devdatta Singh, Ganjam Collector in-charge Madan Mohan Deo, Tata officials and representatives of the displaced people. The Tata officials apprised the RDC of the employment of various displaced persons in the company's different projects. Stating that the company had already recruited 40 displaced persons out of a total of 50 they could not however, explain anything about three missing displaced persons, including Kuni Rath and Anand Moharana. They were untraceable, the officials added. Terming it a serious matter the RDC ordered an inquiry into it asking the Collector in-charge to submit a report within one month. Meanwhile, some displaced people entered the conference hall prompting the RDC to ask the Tata officials as to how many people have actually been displaced due to the company's Gopalpur project.An upset RDC expressed shock over Tata officials' revelation that a total of 604 persons were displaced till date. He said even after three to four meetings convened by him till date he was not aware of the fact. The displaced people narrated their woes and alleged that they have been let down by the company as it has failed to provide compensation to them and jobs to trained persons. Eighteen people, including women, were retrenched in 2006 after 10 years of service by the company. The RDC asked the

company officials to take steps to ensure jobs anyhow to the displaced people and compensate them irrespective of their age and qualification. The RDC also wanted the company authorities to brief the administration on the details of the Gopalpur project. Naveen wants investors to improve communication with people The Orissa Diary, 18 July, 2008 Bhubaneswar: With major steel projects running into rough weather in Orissa, which is targetting a production of 45 mtpa steel in next four years, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today urged investors to learn the art of communicating with the people in a transparent manner. Pointing out that the future of industrial sector lay in addressing people's issues with speed and compassion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said no mining or industrial activity could take place unless people support. "Project proponents must be willing to share with the people the benfit of their projects," Patnaik said, while addressing a seminaron 'Mineral junction: The future ahead', organised by the CII. He said the people should be stakeholders in the projects which were coming up in their localities. The Chief Minister said the state was ranked ahead of others in terms of value of total envisaged projects and also in terms of value of total projects under implementation. "We are ahead of the other top ranking states like Gujarat, Maharastra, Karnataka and Haryana. The rank has been held by us for three consecutive years-2005, 2006 and 2007," Patnaik told the gathering of investors. He said while envisaged projects account for an investment of about Rs 6 lakh crore, projects worth Rs 3 lakh crore were in implemenattion stage. Hopeful of the state achieving its target of 45 mtpa steel production by 2012, Orissa's Steel and Mines, Industries Secretary Ashok Dalwai said the projects which were in

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implementation stage would start production in next four years.

Row over bauxite mining


At least six persons including three women were injured when a group of people attacked those opposing the bauxite mining in Semiliguda block.

Displaced families’ wrath on Essar


JAGATSINGHPUR, July 23: The displaced families of seven villages in Kujang have expressed strong resentment against ESSAR steel company and government officials for not providing them with due compensation for the inundation of their agricultural land. The company has identified nearly 1925 acre land for a proposed steel plant here of which 1663 acre are owned by the villagers and 262 acre by the government. ESSAR has already completed dredging and sand filling in 103 acre of acquired land at the Mahanadi river mouth, sources say. “The dredging has resulted in the inundation of more than 400 acre of paddy land but even though the district administration has issued a notification to the company no compensation has been paid to the farmers yet,” alleged a villager. Meanwhile, secretary of Paradeep Krushak Manch, Mr Bhagban Swain has submitted a memorandum to the administration officials and the officials of the ESSAR steel company demanding compensation for the displaced farmers. In response, agricultural scientists and soil conservation experts were sent by the government here recently to conduct an inquiry into the extent of saline inundation and sand cast in the region. “The saline water has left the paddy fields unfit for cultivation and many fields have been

filled with sand due to the sand cast. The government should look into the plight of the farmers and order the company to pay compensation as soon as possible,” rued a farmer.

Meet on anti-bauxite mining in Maliparvat region


KORAPUT: A meeting of the Maliparvat Surakhya Samiti was organised in the office of the Koraput Indigence Liberation Front (KILF) at Semiliguda today to discuss the future course of action of the anti- bauxite mining movement in the Maliparvat region of Semiliguda block in Koraput district. While the meeting was attended by 7 sarpanches and scores of sympathisers and supporters of the movement, it was decided to organise a greater rally and demonstration in the region on August 9, the Quit India Movement day this year while asking Hindalco to quit from mining in the region, he added.

Fertiliser plants accused of causing health hazards


JAGATSINGHPUR, July 23: Locals allege that sulphur pollution near Atharbanki area of Paradip has resulted in a burning sensation in the eyes and other skin ailments. They point an accusing finger at the two fertiliser plants in the area and insist that leakage of gas due to lack of maintenance causes such high pollution levels. The charge of leakage was vehemently denied by the fertiliser plant authorities. Executive director of the Indian Farmers Fertilisers Co operative Ltd (Iffco), responding to the allegations said: “Steps are being taken to check and control pollution, if any. ”He insisted that there was no leakage near the conveyor belt, it could be at some other point and steps are being taken.

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The fertiliser plants use the conveyor belts to transport sulphur and other raw material from Paradip port to the plant sites, sources said. “Sulphur dust continually leaks from these conveyer belts and gets deposited in heaps on the side of the road at Atharbanki and Nehru Bangala making it unsafe for commuters and residents. People here have complained to plant officials of eye irritation and suffocation but no steps have been taken to correct the situation so far,” a local said. “The condition becomes even more hazardous during the monsoon as it mixes with rain water and contaminates it, causing various skin diseases and stomach ailments,” he added. “I transport fish for a living from Nehru Bangala twice or thrice a day on the road by the conveyor belt. The constant contact with sulphur makes my eyes burn each time I take the road,” complained Mr Santosh Sahoo, an auto rickshaw driver. Environmental experts have also cautioned that prolonged exposure to sulphur may cause severe health hazards for the residents here.

10 more hydel projects on anvil in State Pioneer News Service, 23 July, 2008 To meet the future needs of the power, the State Government has decided to set up 10 hydel power stations in State. Secretary, Energy Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said the State has already initiated talks with the National Hydro-Power Corporation(NHPC) to this effect. About Rs 7,500 crore to Rs 8,000 crore would be invested in these projects. In order to set up the power stations, Orissa Government would set up joint venture Company with NHPC. While Orissa's stake will be of 51 per cent, NHPC will have a share of 49 per cent. Chairman of the NHPC would be nominated as chairman of the newly formed company. Around 1,500 megawatt power will be generated from these hydel power projects. Earlier, the State Government has already

set up 11 IPPs to produce thermal power in the State.

Essar Steel inks MoU with IMMT The Orissa Diary, 23 July , 2008 Bhubaneswar: Indian steel major Essar Steel Limited on Wednesday entered into an agreement with Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT) to utilize the indigenous technology developed by the latter’s scientists for deriving high iron values from low grade iron ore. A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed by IMMT Director Barada Kanta Mishra and Chief of Operations of Essar Visakhapatnam M. K. Sampath at the institute. With the signing of MoU, IMMT became the first research organization to venture into the iron ore processing industry in India, which otherwise is dominated by foreign players. IMMT was chosen by Essar based on its previous performance at company’s ore beneficiation plant in Chhatisgarh. "We had a tie-up with a Sweden company for use of technology in the plant. But with help of IMMT’s scientists, we could achieve the full production capacity," Mr. Sampath said. Under the present agreement, the expertise of the IMMT would be utilized to recover the iron values from the processing plant wastes (tailing and slimes of the mines) and assessing the existing plant performance operating with different types of feed materials. Moreover, IMMT would provide help Essar for tuning its plant operations in India and abroad.

SAIL makes Rs. 1,835-cr. Profit


Rourkela: Higher sales volume, increase in special (value added) steel production, better

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operational efficiencies and higher interest earnings enabled the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to achieve a profit (after tax) of Rs.1,835 crores during April-June, 2008, showing 20.3 per cent growth over the corresponding period last year. The financial performance has improved despite a burden of Rs.1,434 crores on account of substantially higher cost of inputs like coal, freight, ferro-alloys, fuel and higher wage revision, a RSP release said here on Wednesday. The company has registered sales turnover of Rs.12,183 crores with growth of 37 per cent during the period, it said. With thrust maintained on production of value added and special steels, the SAIL plants produced about one million tonnes of items during first quarter, showing a growth of 41 per cent over last year’s same period. During the first quarter, a number of capital projects were completed at Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), Durgapur Steel Plant (DSP) and Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP). Construction works for expansion at IISCO plant, and Salem Steel Plant have commenced and were progressing as per schedule. With utilisation of finishing mills at all time high in the quarter, finished steel production comprised 88 per cent of production as compared to 84 per cent during last period. Further improvement in operational efficiency also helped the company. With 121 per cent of rated capacity utilisation of continuous casting shops, production through this energy-efficient route crossed two million tonnes.

Nalco faces coal shortage


KORAPUT: Production in the mining and refinery complex of the NALCO at Damanjodi would come to a standstill within the next three days if coal does not reach in time.

Vedanta gesture


Continuing its efforts to reach out to communities across the State as part of its CSR, Vedanta Aluminum Ltd has extended support to the flood-affected families of Balasore district.

'Small, medium industries shouldn't be left in the lurch' Pioneer News Service, 30 July,2008 Orissa, which is at present engrossed with mega investments, needs a break as its micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are left in the lurch. Speakers at a workshop organised by the Institute of Entrepreneurship Development, Orissa (IEDO), asked for a change of priority to the MSME sector to boost the entrepreneurs. A policy framework for MSME is much needed, for which the process was initiated long before. Commissioner-cum-Secretary Industry and Steel and Mines Ashok Dalwai revealed that an MSME policy had been finalised and was waiting for clearance of the Government. The workshop was held to involve stakeholders in the Rajiv Gandhi Udyami Mitra Yojana (RGUMY) under the aegis of the Union Ministry of MSME. Dalwai emphasised the role of Udyami Mitras in the implementation of projects by the micro and small entrepreneurs and their helping hand for overcoming the hurdles faced by MSMEs during their startup stage. Director, Ministry of MSME, AK Jha elaborated the technical aspects of the scheme and stressed the need of hand holding support for setting up and managing MSMEs. Director of Industries Orissa and Director, IED, Hemant Sharma, emphasised the importance of the workshop amidst rapid industrialisation in the State. Managing Director IPICOL and IDC Ashok K Meena also addressed the meeting. Director, MSME Development Institute, Cuttack, PN Das, briefed on the development of MSMEs through EDP training. A total number of 150

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participants from different promotional agencies of the State Government, financial institutions, banks, NGOs and industries' associations attended the programme. The objective of the workshop was to involve institutional stakeholders and make them aware of the various aspects of the RGUMY and become Udyami Mitras (Friends of Entrepreneurs) to enable them to provide hand holding support to the new first generation entrepreneurs. General Manager, IPICOL, BN Palai, gave a vivid presentation with relevant data on the MSME sector and compared the national data with the State figures, exhibiting the scope and areas of improvement.

Bhuban is chromite smugglers' paradise Pioneer News Service , 30 July,2008 Bhuban in Dhenkanal district, which was once renowned for brass utensils, has now turned out to be chromite smugglers' paradise. Chromite is available in plenty in the villages of Samal, Chandara, Kanchan Bahali, Kingola, Asura, Bandha, Gauda Bandha, Sarpani, besides the much-hyped chromite field of Tangarpada under Bhuban block, sources said. The poor and ignorant villagers collect buckets of chromite and sell the ore to the smugglers at a low price. Smuggling of chrome ore has been continuing since 1998 after the removal of police guards from the mining fields. Earlier, former Dhenkanal SP Binayanand Jha had successfully prevented this smuggling by deploying police at the Jamunakote Chhak, but after his transfer, the police personnel were removed from the mining areas. Now, the State Government is losing crores of revenue and every day at least 10 truckloads of smuggled chromite are sold to chromite fabrication plants in Jagatpur and Keonhjar districts. Meanwhile, Mines Deputy Director office has said that their officials seized around 100 tonnes of smuggled chromite during the period from 2006 up to September 16, 2007 at Talcher.

The officials have also seized trucks bearing numbers OAU 3377, OR 04/3-4696, OR 0R-09/C-6355, OR-04/D-5218, while transporting chromite from the fields. Sources claim that a truckload of chromite costs about Rs 50,000.

Nalco may close down Damanjodi unit

ENS, 30 July, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: Faced with an acute shortage of coal for the last two months, the alumina refinery of PSU Navratna Nalco at Damanjodi is on the verge of closure. And, with the shutdown imminent any moment, an SOS has been sent to Union Coal MInister Sis Ram Ola seeking his immediate intervention into the issue and initiation of measures to restore workability of the aluminium major. In a memorandum to the Minister, Alumina Refinery Progressive Union (ARPU) general secretary B.K. Jena said the facility was under a serious crisis due to short supply of coal from MCL for months. The coal stockyard has been rendered almost empty and the total shutdown in operations can come any moment causing irreparable loss for the company and its staff. If the plant shuts down, the loss would be to the tune of Rs 6.50 crore per day. The maximum capacity of the plant was 5,315 MT alumina per day and the average production ran into 4,500 MT. Due to shortage of coal, the load had not surpassed 2,000 MT in the last weeks and had been sinking to a precarious situation. Jena said at least 2,900 MT coal was required per day to maintain the average production and urged the Centre to take urgent steps for resumption of supply. It is not for the first time that Nalco has been forced to cut down production due to coal shortage. In mid-June, the company’s daily aluminium production, which hovers around 900 tonnes, had dipped by about 30 per cent due to lowering of its power plant’s output following disruption in coal supplies. Nalco

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needs about 14,000 tonnes of coal per day to run its aluminum smelter and alumina refinery at full capacity. The company has a long-term contract for supply of 4.87 million tonnes of coal from Mahanadi Coalfields.

Three aluminium projects referred to high-level panel ENS, 30 July, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: THE State-level single window clearance authority (SWCA) headed by Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy on Monday cleared one silico manganese project and referred three mega aluminium projects to the high-level committee (HLC) headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The Nalco smelter plant with an estimated investment of Rs 16,345 crore will be set up at Brajrajnagar in Jharsuguda district. The capacity of the plant will be 0.5 million tonnes. Besides, the project envisages a captive power plant (CPP) of 1,260 MW. Official sources said that the State Government will earn a revenue of Rs 250 to 300 crore per annum from the project. While 3,200 persons will be getting appointments, it will create indirect employment opportunities for 6,400. Another project to be jointly set up by Larsen and Toubro (L&T) and Dubai Aluminium Company Limited (DUBAL) will have an investment of Rs 19,668 crore. The project includes a 3 million tonne capacity alumina refinery to be set up at Kusumsila in Rayagada district and 10.44 million tonne capacity aluminium smelter at Badarapali in Sambalpur district besides a 1,080 MW CPP. According to sources, the project will create employment opportunities for 11,110 persons. The expected revenue earnings of the State Government will be between Rs 290 crore and Rs 300 crore a year. The RSB Metal and Tech will set up an aluminium project with an investment of Rs 6,800 crore. The aluminium smelter of 1.75 million tonne capacity and 450 MW CPP will be established at Muktaposhi in Dhenkanal district.

The 0.75 million tonne alumina refinery will be set up in Rayagada district. Besides, the plant will also produce special grade aluminium of 0.2 million tonne. It will create direct and indirect employment opportunities for 8,000 persons. The committee cleared the ferro manganese and silico manganese project to be set up at Somnathpur by Bajaj Steels and Industries Limited with an investment of Rs 298 crore. The revenue earnings by the State Government from the project will be Rs 20 crore.

Union for safe ore export policy The Telegraph, 30 July, 2008

The Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) on Tuesday demanded ban on export of iron ore claiming that unhindered movement of the ore out of the country would spell disaster for the indigenous steel industry. “The loss of iron ore advantage that our country has would put all investment at risk, while cost benefit of using domestic steel will also be lost,” said Rajendra Prasad Singh, the vice-president of HMS at a conference held on Tuesday evening. Singh said Indian steel makers had demanded some sort of control on the export of iron ore. Though the matter is stated to be under the government’s consideration, a final decision is yet to be taken. “No country with such a large population and increasing per capita demand exports so much ore. “If growth in production is to be maintained at an average of 7.3 per cent over the next few decades, then India’s reserves will be wiped out in the next 30 to 40 years,” Singh said. The leader said export of ore in the last fiscal had gone up to nearly 60 per cent of the production from 44 per cent in 1997-98.

Nalco makes a profit of Rs 525.33 cr


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BHUBANESWAR, July 31: National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco), a Navratna PSU reported a profit after tax of Rs 525.33 crore for the 1st quarter ended June 30, registering an increase of 17.6 per cent over Rs 446.66 crore achieved in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. According to the results taken on record at a meeting of the board of directors here today, the company has also reported a turnover of Rs 1606.41 crore, compared to Rs 1287.12 crore achieved in the corresponding quarter of the previous year, recording a jump of 24.8 per cent. On the sales front, the company sold 2,21,405 MT of alumina in the 1st quarter, which was 2,07,765 MT in the corresponding period a year ago. Similarly, the aluminium sale increased from 75,858 MT to 84,103 MT during the comparable quarter. The board was also informed about the company’s proposed 5 lakh ton smelter and 1260 MW captive power plant project which had recently been cleared by the single window clearance authority of the state government. The project entails an investment of Rs 16,345 crore. The proposal now awaits approval of the apex-level committee chaired by the chief minister. At the same time, the 2nd phase expansion projects of the company are

nearing completion with an investment of about Rs 5000 crore. The company has also drawn ambitious plans to invest around Rs 40,000 crore in various Greenfield projects in India and abroad, including Indonesia, South Africa and Iran. The board was also appraised of the Greenfield project in Indonesia for which a MoU had been signed earlier this year. The company intends to invest Rs 14,000 crore for a 5 lakh ton smelter and a 1250 MW captive power plant in Indonesia. Consultants engaged for site selection have favoured Tanjung Api-Api as per preliminary reports. The Navaratna company is also expediting its plans to open new bauxite mine in Andhra Pradesh and set up an Alumina Refinery there. Asked about the disruption in production due to short supply of coal both at Angul and Damanjodi, company sources said global market price was high and this had enabled it to offset the loss caused by such disruptions. With regards to the current coal shortage faced at Damanjodi, these sources said over the last couple of days railway rakes carrying coal from Talcher and Corba area have reached the refinery. Two rakes have reached during he last two days providing some relief, they added.

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MONTH-AUGUST Plan to privatise Ferrochrome, Kalinga Iron Works dropped PNS, 1 August, 2008 The State Government has dropped the privatisation move of Ferrochrome plant at Jajpur and Kalinga Iron Works Ltd in Barbil. These two plants are functioning under the Industrial Development Corporation of Orissa Ltd (IDCOL). A decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting presided over by Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy on Thursday. In 2004-05, the Cabinet sub-committee decided that companies functioning under IDCOL would be privatised. As per the plan, IDCOL Cement at Bargarh, Spinning Mill at Baripada, Aska, Sonepur, Hirkud Iron Works, Hira Cables, Hira Re-Rolling Mills were disinvested. IDCOL MD Ashok Meena said as both the companies started making profit, the Government had decided not to go for disinvestment plan for Ferrochrome and Kalinga Irons Works Ltd. The accumulated loss which reached to the tune of Rs 200 crore, has started to decline. Out of it, Rs 105 crore was already paid. Out of the rest 95 crore, the Government owes Rs 70 crore. Both the Ferrochrome and Iron Works have already won. The turnover of the companies during the financial year has already reached Rs 750 crore. It would make a profit of Rs 175 crore. (188) MLAs give Naveen formula to check mineral theft PNS, 1 August, 2008 Worried over the rising theft of rich mineral resources of the State, MLAs cutting across party lines, submitted innovative proposals to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday on how to save minerals worth

hundreds of crores of rupees from being looted. Around 14 MLAs signed a document and submitted it to the Chief Minister. They suggested rewards must be given to the informers, who pass vital information on the pilferage of rich minerals as per the rule of Orissa Minerals (Prevention of theft, smuggling and illegal mining and regulation of possession, storage, trading and transportation rules)-2007. "We would like to suggest that if the sale proposals to the extent of 35 per cent of the seized mining materials may be rewarded to the institutions/ villagers and persons, who inform the authorised officials during clandestine transaction of the mining materials, either by vehicle or manually, by persons, the efforts made by the Government, would become successful," they said. They also suggested that the informers, who desire not to reveal their names or to keep his identity secret over telephone, may be accepted and the code number given to him receive reward within one month of the dissemination of information. In all mining offices, 24 hours control rooms are required to be opened with ID phone and squad party in readiness. Also 15 per cent of the sale proceeds of the seized materials may be given to the mining officials or police officials, who proceed to the spot and seize theft materials. If Government accepts all the proposals and implements it, about Rs 5,000 crore worth of theft of mining material can be stopped within two to three years," they said. The MLAs who signed the documents included Brindaban Majhi, Prafulla Mallick, BK Arukh, Baidhar Mallick, Sahibhusan Behera, Arun De, Sambhunath Naik, Satya Bhusan Sahu, Draupadi Majhi, Sadan Nayak Narayan Reddy Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Bir Sipka. The MLAs who signed the documents included Brindaban Majhi, Prafulla Mallick, BK Arukh, Baidhar Mallick, Sahibhusan Behera, Arun De, Sambhunath Naik, Satya Bhusan Sahu, Draupadi Majhi, Sadan Nayak Narayan

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Reddy Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Bir Sipka.

Policy for power quota


BHUBANESWAR, August 4: The state government formulated policy guidelines for power generators covering all those who have already signed MoUs and those who are in the pipeline and stipulated availability of power as state shares with the quantum being linked to coal block and coal linkages. The state cabinet which met here today accorded approval to a set of guidelines recommended by a task force on power related issues. The task force had dealt with policy guidelines for future independent power producers who have not signed MoUs, review of the power purchase agreements with power producers who have already signed MoUs, guidelines for ultra mega power projects and for central public sector undertakings like NTPC. Henceforth the MoUs will have a provision entitling a nominated agency authorised by the state government to purchase 14 per cent power from a generator with coal linkage and 12 per cent power from those without coal linkage. The power purchased from the generator by the state or its authorised agency will be at variable costs determined by the OERC. For existing power producers, the same has been fixed at seven and five per cent of the generation respectively. However with regards to ultra mega power projects, the state will have a right to purchase upto 50 per cent of power from it through competitive bidding at the lowest bid price only. The government has also said that ultra mega power projects should contributed five per cent of their profit to the peripheral development fund. The MoUs and power purchase agreements signed already may be modified and the progress of existing independent power producers will be reviewed, it said. Ultra mega power projects will signed MoU

with the state government for support in getting various clearances and assistance in rehabilitation measures as per state policy. The central sector power generators will however follow government of India guidelines on sharing of power and state will get 10 per cent home state share from the plant in addition to the 20 per cent share through Gadgil formula. The Centre will be required for 15 per cent discretionary power from NTPC Kaniha while agreeing to the proposal of NTPC in Ib Valley project, stated the Cabinet.

Govt agencies have to clear small industries' dues in time PNS, 1 August, 2008 Good news for small scale and medium scale entrepreneurs. They don't have to run after Government servants to get their pending dues cleared by departments and other agencies to which they supply materials. "If their money is not cleared within the stipulated time period, the Government departments will repay the money with compound interest," said Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy. The interest will be to the tune of three times the bank interest. Briefing about the Cabinet's decision, Tripathy said in terms of the provision of the interest on delayed payment to Small Scale and Ancillary Industries Undertaking Act, 1993, the State Government has constituted the Industries Facilitation Council. The Council will solve the dispute between the government agencies and the small scale traders regarding any disputes on payment. It would also be applicable to the Public Undertakings. While Director of Industries is the chairman of the Council, CGM State Bank of India or his representatives, Joint Director of Industries and representative of Industries Association are its members. Tripathy further said in support of the demands f the Industries Promotion Officer's Association, the State Government decided to enhance the promotion quota to Class-II (

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Group-B) posts of Orissa Industries Service from 50 per cent to 60 per cent by bringing about suitable amendments of Orissa Industries Service Rules, 1985 in consultation with the Law and General Administration Department.

RSP project uneffected by steel price rise

The Statesman

ROURKELA, Aug 5: Inflation and steel prices will in no way effect the Rs 12,000 crore modernisation project for Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP) and the project is very much on track said company sources here today. The foundation stone of the modernisation project was laid in January by Union minister Mr Ram Vilas Paswan and is unaffected by the price fluctuation said these sources while allaying apprehensions expressed in certain quarters that the project may be downsized. The whole problem started when the project cost was announced to be Rs 12,000 crore against the initial estimate of Rs 10,000 crore. Explaining the position, these sources said that when we are going for the modernisation and plan to enhance our production target as per plan and approval of the Sail board, the question of abandoning or downsizing the whole project surfaced. We are sticking to our proposed target of 4.5 MT of hot metal, 4.2 MT of crude steel and 3.9 MT of saleable steel. And these figures are almost 93 per cent higher than our existing capacity, they said. RSP had received Stage 1 approval for its modernisation and expansion programme in May 2007. The board of directors, Sail in its meeting held on July 25, 2008 has accorded Stage 2 approval for the new units and facilities envisaged in the primary zone of the steel plant. Letters of acceptance have been issued so that construction work can commence at the earliest for setting up of the new units which includes a state of art 4060 M3 blast furnace, which incidentally

will be among the biggest in the country with all support facilities. The other downstream facilities like one new LD Converter, one new Slab Caster, RH-OB and LHF for quality improvement of steel, and new Wide Plate Mill of 1.8 million tons per annum (MTPA) is also getting ready for Stage 2 approval. The present modernisation and expansion is the biggest in the steel plant’s history whereby capacity is being more than doubled from the existing 2 million tons per annum to 4.5 MTPA in hot metal production. Only if the project overruns its time schedule of 2011 will be face some problems, added these sources while discounting all speculations of the project having run into rough weather. n sns

Independent power producers to meet commitment first: government

Express News Service, 5 August, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: Independent power producers (IPPs) who have already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the State Government and having coal linkage will have to provide seven percent of power generated by them at variable cost. A decision to this effect was taken at the Cabinet meeting on Monday. IPPs, who have signed MoUs and are without coal linkage will have to provide five percent of power generated by them at variable cost. IPPs who will sign MoUs, have to provide 14 percent of the power generated at their plants if they do have coal linkage. Without coal linkage they will have to give 12 percent of the electricity produced at variable cost. The ultra mega power plants will not have to provide 50 percent of the power to the State at variable cost. The Central public sector undertakings like NTPC will have to spend five percent of their profit on peripheral development and

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up to 50 percent power generated at variable cost.

Mittal’s plant meeting amidst grouse

The Statesman

KEONJHAR, Aug. 6: The first village meeting for the proposed Arcelor Mittal’s mega steel plant at Patna has been held at Bhrungarajposi and Raikala villages today. However, the meeting at Childa high school was conducted amid slogans against the company. A large number of protestors including women staged a demonstration there. After the district administration clamped section 144 at the school, the demonstrators were asked to vacate the place. But the defied the orders and did not allow police vans to move by lying down in front of them. Later, the meeting at Raikala was conducted. n SNS

Tata Steel ranks 231


BHUBANESWAR, Aug. 6: Citing information from the website of Fortune magazine, Tata Steel today claimed that it has been placed at the 231st position in the list of ‘Global-500 Companies’. The company had earlier bagged the 315th position, as the annual results of the company were not announced till the deadline set by the magazine. The magazine, at that point of time, had considered the company’s consolidated nine months' financial results and given it the 315th position. However, post announcement of the annual results, Tata Steel now enjoys the rank of 231. This is the first time, the steel company made an entry into the prestigious list. Besides Tata Steel, six another Indian companies ~ Indian Oil, Reliance India Limited, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, ONGC and SBI have found positions in the

list. It may be noted that the Fortune 500 is an annual list compiled and published by Fortune magazine that ranks the top 500 companies across the globe measured by their gross revenue. The company that tops the list this time is Wal-Mart Stores.

‘MCL can supply coal easily’


SAMBALPUR, Aug 10: ahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) has sufficient coal stock and is supplying coal to its consumers as per agreement, asserted its chairman cum managing director (CMD) Mr SR Upaddhyaya. Talking to reporters here today, the MCL chief clarified that the company had not neglected supply of coal to any of is costumers including Nalco. Explaining the cause of coal shortage faced by Nalco’s Damanjodi refinery recently, he said MCL was in no way responsible for the shortage since it was due to dispatch of coal. We produce coal and it is for the consumer to make necessary transport arrangements in terms of linkage with railway authorities for timely transport. The shortage faced by the Damanjodi refinery of Nalco was related to problems in transport of coal, he observed. "At the same time we are committed to help Nalco and extend all possible cooperation to the company," he stated. "If need be our officers are ready to go and help the Nalco unit overcome the problem," he said. The director personnel (DP) of MCL Mr G D Gulab claimed that MCL will emerge as a star company of Coal India Ltd. The Talalbira no 2 and 3 units would be operational by the end of 2010, he informed. The director (technical) of MCL Mr VK Jain, general manager (marketing) Mr TK Bhattacharjee were also present and other senior officers were also present at the press conference.

Nalco workers threaten fast unto death

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ANGUL, Aug. 10: Officers working at Nalco smelter and power plant here have threatened to launch a fast unto death from 12 August if the management fails to fulfil their demand by tomorrow. The officers are demanding a declaration of departmental promotion results. The departmental promotion committee (DPC) for officers had met in June and by now the results ought to have been declared, they said. “In fact as per rule, the results should have been announced on 1 July,” said president and secretary of Nalco officers association Mr SN Sahu and Mr Arun Kumar Sahu of Nalco Smelter and Power Plant here. The delay has caused serious concern among the 1800 strong officers of the public sector company, they contended. The officers were earlier dismayed by the decision of the company to hold one DPC in an year instead of the previous practice of conducting two DPCs every year. This had already curtailed promotional avenues, they decried. The decision to launch a fast unto death was taken at a meeting of the general body of the association. Officers here claimed that even the Damanjodi refinery side of the company is likely to face protests. The officers at Damanjodi are likely to sport black badges demanding streamlining of the promotion system, they added.

Manganese mafias operate with full vigour


KEONJHAR, Aug. 11: While police in Joda and Barbil area are trying all means to curb the illegal mining and transporting of iron ore, the ‘manganese mafia’ has had a free run. The manganese mafias are used to transporting manganese ore worth a lot of money on road. But some do this in an innovative way. They send the illegally mined manganese on rail. This came to the fore when the mining department and police stumbled upon 1100 ton of manganese ore

piled at Bansapani railway siding. The manganese has been seized and investigations are on. Locals insist that illegal transport of manganese has been a prosperous business since long. Nothing has been done to catch those indulging in such trade, noted locals. The people of Joda and Barbil area observe that the multi-crore illegal trade can only be stopped if the forest, mines and police authorities act jointly, conduct regular raids and step up patrolling in the area. Sources say the mining department, Joda, seized 857 mt of manganese ore in 2007-08 and in 2008-09 1800 mt of the same mineral ore have so far been seized.

PPSS resolves to acquire, distribute forest land


JAGATSINGHPUR, Aug 11: Embarking on a novel method of protest to counter the Posco India’s forest diversion proposal which was recently cleared by the apex court, the Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) spearheading the anti-project movement has decided to ‘capture/acquire’ and ‘distribute’ the said land to villagers. Over the years the government was telling us to protect the forest and not to encroach on such land. Today, the same government, recommends forest diversion proposal and hands it over to a company. What kind of logic is this and if at all forest land is to be given, locals who protected it should get first chance, charged PPSS leaders. The PPSS which held a series of meetings in all the affected villages ever since the court gave its verdict and decided to ‘allot the said land to local people’ and also form forest protection committees. Intensifying its three year old agitation, the PPSS has called upon people of Dhinkia, Govindpur, Nuagaon, Noliashai, Gadakujang and other villages to join hands and avail the facility of land allotment. PPSS leaders claimed that yesterday they allotted 1500 acres of the said forest land amongst people of

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Govindpur and Dhinkia villages. The meetings were replete with speeches of affected people who lamented that their struggle for right to life and livelihood had not been heard over the last three years forcing them to resort to such actions. We have been living in this place since time immemorial so why shall we leave this land, remarked villagers. Anti-Posco activists claimed that all the people including women and children will fight against the project. The PPSS has formed a 15 member core committee to expedite its ‘land allotment’ move. The forest diversion proposal includes several areas of Dhinkia, Nuagaon and Gadakujang panchyats. These areas will now be acquired by villagers and each plot will be fenced by the family to which it is allotted, declared PPSS leaders. "The first phase allotment has been completed and the rest of the land will also be allotted so that each family protects the area and stalls any form of diversion or acquisition by the company" said Mr Abhaya Sahoo, president of PPSS. Mr Babuli Rout, another PPSS leader said: "The core committee will hold meetings at every village to identify beneficiaries and allot plots. The next meeting of the core committee will be held tomorrow at Govindpur". The PPSS leaders also informed that forest protection committees will be formed to stall any plans of acquisition by the government. Officials at the district headquarters however said that all such plans of PPSS are blatantly illegal. "The forest land were mostly on pen and paper only, said an official before adding that the forest diversion proposal has been cleared paving the way for acquisition of the said land in favour of the company.

Displaced families of Koraput to be rehabilitated PNS, 12 August, 2008 At a meeting held at the Circuit House at Koraput, Revenue Divisional Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu declared that the 580 families, who were displaced from 19

villages of Koraput and Borigumma blocks in 2001 for the Telengiri project, would be rehabilitated and get all compensations. In the first phase, 501 families having land records would get the compensation under the new rule of the State Government. The district Collector Balakrushna Sahu requested the Government to arrange compensation for the rest 79 families having no land records. All these families were deprived of the compensation since last three years. The representatives of the people demanded establishment of a village for rehabilitation, electrification of the village under the Biju Gramajyoti Yojana, provision of drinking water, Madhubabu Pension scheme, construction of school buildings and roads, irrigation facility and fruit plantation. It was decided to form a developmental committee under the guidance of Sahu to look after all the compensation and rehabilitation process. Assembly panel concerned over Bhusan Steel pollution PNS, 14 August, 2008 The Sub-Committee of the State Assembly's Public Accounts Committee, headed by deputy leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra, after visiting the surrounding villages of Bhusan Steel plant on Monday, expressed grave concern over the growing pollution near the plant site. Seeking appropriate steps to prevent the pollution, Mishra also advised the district administration to establish a hospital and an animal health centre near the plant site with financial assistance from Bhushan. The Sub-Committee also advised the district administration to take steps to curb the frequent road accidents on NH-42 occurring near the Bhushan plant. At the review meting conducted at the Circuit House here, the Sub-Committee discussed elaborately the progress of the ongoing Government schemes. Apart from district Collector Mrinalini Darswal, ADM Gopabandhu

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Pradhan SP Sanjay Kausal and Project Director, DRDA, Bishnu Charan Prusty took part in the discussion. Sadar MLA Sudhir Kumar Samal, Pallahara MLA Nrusingha Charan Sahoo and Talcher MLA Mahesh Sahoo were among the Sub-Committee members. Jindal meets Naveen, assures to commission Angul project by 2010 PNS, 14 August, 2008 Vice-Chairman and managing director of Jindal Steel and Power Limited (JSPL), Naveen Jindal on Wednesday, called on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and discussed about its 6 million-tonne per annum steel plant which is coming up near Angul. "The project is progressing very well and the first phase is likely to be commissioned by October 2010," said Jindal after meeting the Chief Minister. In the first phase, it will have a capacity of 3 mtpa. "We have already invested about Rs 4,000 crore for the acquisition of land, equipments and placing orders for more equipments," said Jindal, adding that the company is likely to invest about Rs 15,000 crore for its project at Angul. In addition, the company is also investing about Rs 5,000 crore for a 1,500 MW power plant. He further said the company is committed for fulfilling its social responsibility. "We have initiated series of measures for peripheral development. Apart from the electrification of 18 peripheral villages, the company has introduced mobile hospital, drinking water and rural roads," he said, adding that it already spent Rs 2 crore during last fiscal and targets to spent Rs 5 crore on various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. He further said the company is committed for fulfilling its social responsibility. "We have initiated series of measures for peripheral development. Apart from the electrification of 18 peripheral villages, the company has introduced mobile

hospital, drinking water and rural roads," he said, adding that it already spent Rs 2 crore during last fiscal and targets to spent Rs 5 crore on various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. "We want to create a sense of ownership in the minds of the locals. They should feel that the project is theirs. We will complete the project in time," Jindal added. Posco-India chief, Naveen hold talks PNS, 14 August, 2008 Posco -India chief Soung-Sik-Cho on Wednesday called on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and held a detailed discussion about its upcoming Paradip project for nearly one-and-a-half hours. But he was tight lipped about the discussion. After the Supreme Court gave clearance on the forest diversion plan and gave its nod to Posco to go ahead with the project, it was Soung-Chik-Cho's first meeting with the Chief Minister. "We have come here to say our thanks to the Chief Minister," said Cho. Assembly panel concerned over Bhusan Steel pollution PNS, 14 August, 2008 The Sub-Committee of the State Assembly's Public Accounts Committee, headed by deputy leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra, after visiting the surrounding villages of Bhusan Steel plant on Monday, expressed grave concern over the growing pollution near the plant site. Seeking appropriate steps to prevent the pollution, Mishra also advised the district administration to establish a hospital and an animal health centre near the plant site with financial assistance from Bhushan. The Sub-Committee also advised the district administration to take steps to curb the frequent road accidents on NH-42 occurring

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near the Bhushan plant. At the review meting conducted at the Circuit House here, the Sub-Committee discussed elaborately the progress of the ongoing Government schemes. Apart from district Collector Mrinalini Darswal, ADM Gopabandhu Pradhan SP Sanjay Kausal and Project Director, DRDA, Bishnu Charan Prusty took part in the discussion. Sadar MLA Sudhir Kumar Samal, Pallahara MLA Nrusingha Charan Sahoo and Talcher MLA Mahesh Sahoo were among the Sub-Committee members. Posco-Tata ka side effects make Orissa Coast as Maoists' hotbed The Orissa Diary, 14 August, 2008 Bhubaneswar: Call it the side effects of South-Korean Steel maker Posco and Tata Empire or complete failure of the intelligence network of Orissa Police led by DGP Gopal Chandra Nanda. The anti-industry agitation in Orissa's coastal district of Jagatsinghpur and Jajpur is first marching towards a Red Revolution if the recent cases are to be taken into account. It is high time for the Police Headquarters to strengthened its intelligence network and the private companies should also ensure the fruits of rehabilitation and resettlement to reach the real the beneficiaries. The recent cases of Maoists activities under the Central Police Range, has certainly posed a major threat for the internal security of the State as well. On Wednesday, Jajpur police arrested two alleged Maoists included a woman cadre and handed over to Jagatsinghpur Police for further interrogation. "We have been interrogating Pratima Das, who is resident of Pradhansahi in Chowdwar and Devendra Das of Kanjiakana village under Erasama area," Jagatsinghpur SP RK Sharma told over phone. The Jajpur police caught to the two near Krushnadaspur under Balichandrapur police station about 65 km from Jajpur district headquarters. The outlawed outfits underground network to

some extent reduced following the arrest of chief of CPI (ML) Janashakti Anna Reddy and his lovebird Rani Jamuda in January 2008. Few days back, three Superintendents of Police ( SPs) including Jagatsinghpur SP, RK Sharma, Sambalpur SP Sanjay Kumar and Deogarh SP, Sanjeev Arora interrogated two top Maoists leaders in Jagatsinghpur after they were arrested. The Jagatsinghpur Police earlier arrested two Maoists top leaders including Prasana Pal and Ranjan Rout, who had reportedly involved in Nayagarh attack in February 2008. Pal is a member of the Central Core Committee of the Maoists organisation, while Ranjan, holds the position of deputy commander. In fact, Prasanna was one of the 12-core committee members formed by Maoists for the Nayagarh attack. Police officials said the Maoists are now trying to make inroads in Jagatsinghpur, where Posco is setting up its 12 million tonne steel plant. The recent two cases have cleared all speculation about the movement of Maoists in coastal Orissa. CPI-Maoist propaganda has been asserting that Government policies have led to a further marginalisation of tribals and forest dwellers in the State, with large ventures like the POSCO and Kalinga Nagar steel projects, as well as bauxite mining and other large enterprises leading to massive displacement in Orissa. Accordingly, at their 9th Congress in January-February 2007, the Maoists called on all "forest dwellers to resist till the end the massive displacement taking place and protect their land and forests from the robbers and looters that seek to seize them." The 9th Congress also called on "the vast oppressed peasantry to rise as a storm… to sweep away their oppressors and establish their own people's power from village to village", and exhorted the working class to "throw off the chains of the revisionists, reformists, and reactionary trade unionists and take to militant struggles against the attacks on their living standards and democratic rights." There is some evidence that the Maoists have penetrated the major developmental project complex and are orchestrating a revolt by uniting locals. For instance, they have formed the POSCO

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Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (Committee for Defence and Struggle against POSCO) to oppose the establishment of the POSCO steel plant in the Jagatsinghpur District. According to intelligence sources, Maoist ideologues have also started speaking to residents in the area about the need for an armed struggle against POSCO. "Normally, the ideologues arrive first, followed by their armed cadres," an intelligence official revealed. Similarly, Maoist front organisations are opposing the TATA Steel project in the Kalinga Nagar area of Jajpur District, with the Visthapan Virodhi Jan Manch (People's Forum against Displacement) opposing the displacement of locals by the project. Hundreds of tribal villagers demolished a partly constructed boundary wall of the TATA Steel's proposed hospital inside the Kalinga Nagar industrial complex on January 1, 2007. "The CPI (ML) Janashakti is active in the Kalinga Nagar area. Already, two leaders of the Visthapan Virodhi Jana Manch are supporting the radical viewpoint of the Janashakti to wage an armed struggle. The police are keeping a watch on the situation and we are taking the necessary steps. SC gives respite to Posco, Vedanta; Opp contemplating tough resistance PNS, 16 August, 2008 Even though Posco and Vedanta Alumina have got the much-required respite in the wake of the Supreme Court's verdict in favour of clearances of forest and mining, respectively, the hurdles for them are not over, as local people, backed by an Opposition group, are contemplating to put tough resistance to the two upcoming projects. Posco-India chief Soung-Sik Cho reportedly discussed the law and order problem with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday, though he was tight lipped about what transpired between him and Patnaik. Earlier, frequent incidents of

violence in and around new project areas impeded the ongoing industrialisation process in the State. "The situation has changed. We are committed to going ahead in ushering in an industrialisation climate in the State," said Industries Minister Biswabhusan Harichandan. But Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) convener Abhay Sahu and Green Kalahandi convener Bhakta Charan Das seem to be determined to oppose the projects in their respective areas as they have threatened to launch mass agitations. This has added to the State Government's anxiety. The PPSS has already acquired the forestland and distributed it among its members. Villagers opposing the project have encroached upon as much as 1,200 acres of land meant for the project. "We have distributed the forest land among villagers before the Government could acquire it and hand it over to Posco," PPSS chairman Abhay Sahu said, adding that the villagers have been asked to protect their portions of the forest land and ensure that none could take them. "We will take utmost care so that no untoward incidents will occur giving rise to law and order problem," said a senior police official, adding that the Government does not want to take any risk during this election year. Even Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy had earlier admitted that law and order problem is a major threat to the industrialisation process. What has come as a major headache for the Government is that none of the nine-mega projects has come up even after three and a half years of the signing of the MoUs. The MoUs for the major industries were signed way back in 2004 and 2005. Representatives of about 47 major industrial houses have, meanwhile, met the Government on this issue. For instance, although Posco signed the MoU on June 22, 2005, but the land acquisition process has yet to kick off. Similarly, Vedanta Alumina's refinery plant at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district depends on bauxite from the Niyamgiri hills, but Bhakta Das is now planning to start a mass movement to oppose extraction of bauxite from Niyamgiri on grounds of

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environmental protection. Tata Steel is yet to make a major breakthrough for its six-million-tonne project at Kalinga Nagar, with the law and order problem still turning out to be a major issue.Similarly, Tata's proposed thermal power project with an investment of Rs 6,000 crore at Naraj is also facing the trouble because of the law and order problem. Illegal mining: State losing Rs 5,000 cr per year PNS, 18 August, 2008 There is a revenue loss of around Rs 5,000 crore of the Government due to illegal mining and transportation of coal, iron- ore and manganese in Angul, Jharsuguda, Joda and Koida of the State with the direct connivance of the top officials of Mining Directorate. After illegal mining, hundreds of truckloads of iron ore are supplied to many sponge iron plants at Jharsuguda and Keonjhar. The Keonjhar-Pallahara-Angul route has became the safest for illegal transportation of iron ore and coal. The Government is losing crores of rupees due to illegal mining and transportation of manganese by a powerful racket, close to top mining officials. A coal washery at Talcher is purchasing coal of hundred of crores of rupees every year with the direct support of the mining officials. Particularly in the period of a deputy director of mines at Talcher, illegal mining and transportation of coal was rampant in the whole area. After getting serious complaints, the Government transferred him from Talcher to Bhubaneswar office. However, only after few months due to the grace of the director, he got another important posting at Koida, where iron ore blackmarketeers, illegal miners and transporters are very much active. Officials facing serious corruption charges are being posted to important mining places of the State. As the coal, iron ore and manganese mafia is very much active in the State, the Director, Mines has became a mute spectator and many tainted

officials are posted in important places. RN Sahu is practically working as director in charge of Mines in absence of a full fledged director. The State Association of Mines Affected People in a petition to DG, Vigilance Anup Kumar Pattnaik, while alleged revenue loss of Rs 5,000 crore due to blackmarketing of coal, iron ore and manganese has demanded a Vigilance enquiry against the Director, Mines. General secretary of the association SK Tripathy also urged for appointing a special task force to check illegal mining activities . Balasore Alloys helps family attain financial independence PNS, 19 August, 2008 In a noble gesture, Balasore Alloys donated dry rations and cash to a family living in abject poverty. After learning the ordeals of the family through media sources, joint MD of the company Rabindra Jena donated funds to Ratikanta Behera and his family of Dharaganj (Tikirapal) Remuna village. Jena said one can help a little and extend hand but alleviate the miseries altogether. Besides announcing that each month the company would give Rs 500 to all family members, it would also bear educational expenses of children for next 10 years. Behera (45), a visually challenged since birth, has to bear educational expenses of his three children - two daughters Damayanti (14), Basumati (12) and a son Manoj(8) along with an ailing wife. He used to beg with his youngest daughter during weekends, holidays and vacations. Begging two days a week not even generates Rs 600 to Rs 800 per month although he also receives the disability allowance from the Government. When Jena visited the village the locals apprised him of difficulties Behera faced. SK Giri and Sanjay Acharya along with other senior managers of the company were present during the visit.

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Diarrohea problem escalates, 12 dead in industry-rich Angul PNS, 20 August, 2008 Even though the Government earns an approximate revenue of Rs 700 crore from industry-rich Angul district 12 persons died and hundreds of people are ailing due to diarrhoea in Angul district since past five days. Health Department sources said the people were affected due to consumption of contaminated water. Allegedly, the basic minimum facilities still elude the people of the district and they are dying without getting safe drinking water.In Angul block alone, seven persons died of diarrohea while in Talgarh village two persons died and 15 persons are hospitalised in the District Headquarters Hospital. In Badataila village of Tainsi panchayat three persons died and many are affected. In Barapada village of Kishore Nagar block a villager Karpura Sethi died and many persons are hospitalised. Dr Abhaya Kumar Patra told The Pioneer that 12 persons died of diarrohea in Angul district due to consumption of contaminated water. Dr Patra added that many villages are affected and the task force constituted by the Health Department is providing mobile health service to the affected villages.

Why motorists dread National Highway 215 in Joda region

The Hindu, 25 August, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: Want to visit Joda in Orissa’s Keonjhar district? Carry adequate food and drinking water, because you never know how much time you have to spend on road to reach the mineral hotbed of the State. Joda is the region from where iron-ore worth over Rs. 40,000 crore has been exported during past six years. However, it

has been a difficult place to reach by road for a fortnight now. Thanks to an un-motorable National Highway 215, the only major road link to the region. The bad shape of road has worsened due to rains and movement of thousands of iron-ore laden trucks. Ask Priyanath Ray from coastal Jagatsinghpur district, he would tell how he managed to come out of the “cut-off region” by approaching neighbouring Jharkhand State by train and then entered Orissa at a different border point. “Vehicles on the National Highway 215 are virtually stranded. Hundreds of trucks could be spotted on different sub-roads connecting Joda town. If you are in a four-wheeler, it is really difficult to gauge the travelling time between two places in that region,” Mr. Ray said. Many people of the district, who don’t even know about the iron-ore export, suffer silently. A letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik dispatched by Keonjhar Citizens Forum reads, “ordinary commuters are denied the access to this highway, most parts of the day due to unending traffic jams. The starting of movement of mineral traffic as the clock strikes 8 am is no less than a war cry.” “The sleepless drivers and helpers spend days in liquor-vending dhabas and are in the most fowl and murderous mood on the steering wheel at night. About the road condition, the less said the better. Road accidents claim at least one life per day on the highway,” forum’s president Bhagirathi Mohanta said. Should people of Keonjhar deserve this kind of treatment? There are a total of 109 mines basically of iron ore in the district with a leased area of over 33330 ha. During past the five-year period ending March 2007, the total iron-ore mined and dispatched from the district was 162 million tonnes, whose price would be approximately Rs 40,000 crore, said Kiran Sahu, a retired wing commander and resident of the district. Pertaining to forest loss, Joda has alone 16260 ha of forest area, of which 6542 ha had been diverted for non-forest use, mainly mining. Despite this loss to local resources, the NH 215 has not been made motorable.

33

Export of iron ore unchecked

The Hindu, 27 August, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: At a time when steel industries are desperately seeking iron ore to run their plants in Orissa, export of the ore from the State is going on unrestrained. The claim of the Government over adding values to its mineral resources will sound mere sloganeering when one goes through growth figure of iron ore production and its export from the State during last five years, which was presented in the State Assembly on Tuesday. Orissa is poised to become steel hub of the country with signing of 49 MoU for steel plants that envisaged 76 million tonnes of steel production per annum. In a written reply to a query, Steel and Mines Minister Pradeep Kumar Amat said, “All these steel plants require 200 million tonnes of iron ore per annum to run the plants when they achieve the full capacity. And the total iron ore reserves in Orissa assessed till date is 5300 million tonnes.” “Iron ore can be available for these industries for 25 years. Further, some potential areas have not yet been prospected. After prospecting, the serve will be enhanced,” Mr. Amat said. Going by the Minister’s version, the State has already promised all its 5000 mt tonne

reserve at rate of 200 mt per annum for 25 years. Experts said if the State Government did not want to earn a bad name, it should ban the export immediately. The Minister said as many as 28 steel plants had already gone into production by making about Rs. 20,000-crore investment in the State. Iron ore production has been doubled from 34.88 mt in 2004 to 74.50 mt in 2008. But the present steel production capacity stood at 3.8 million tonnes per annum, which required little above 6 mt of iron ore. Iron export through sea route has also been doubled from 8.78 mt in 2003-04 to 20.05 mt in 2007-08. The remaining iron ore production was consumed in domestic market. Experts believed the gain from iron ore export in terms of revenue was actually a loss. In 2003-04, the State had earned revenue to the tune of Rs. 59.31 crores from iron ore production and the revenue generation had been more than doubled in 2007-08 despite the astronomical rise of iron ore price in international market.

34

PPUUBBLLIICC HHEEAARRIINNGG NNOOTTIICCEESS

Month-July

NAME OF COMPANY &

PLACE OF OPERATION

CAPACITY OF THE PROJECT

DATE OF NOTICE

DATE OF PUBLIC

HEARING

VENUE OF PUBLIC

HEARING

NOTIFICATION NUMBER OF MOEF

1

M/S Gopalpur Ports Ltd., Gopalpur, Ganjam

Development of All Weather Direct Berthing

Port at Arjipalli, Chatrapur, Ganjam

16.07.08

19.08.08

(10.00a.m)

Arjipalli High School

Premises, Arjipalli

17198/IND-11-PH-278

2 M/S K.V.K.

Nilachal Power Pvt. Ltd.

Establishment of a coal based thermal Power Plant of 4×350 MW capacity in Kandarei,

Athagarh, Cuttack

16.07.08 20.08.08 (11.00a.m)

G.P.Head Quarter, Kandarei

17166/IND-11-PH-277

Month-August

NAME OF COMPANY &

PLACE OF OPERATION

CAPACITY OF THE PROJECT

DATE OF NOTICE

DATE OF PUBLIC

HEARING

VENUE OF PUBLIC

HEARING

NOTIFICATION NUMBER OF MOEF

1 M/S. Lanco Group Ltd., Dhenkanal

4×660 MW (2640 MW) Lanco, Babandha

Thermal Power Project at Kurunti, Dhenkanal

25.08.08

26.09.08 (10.30 a.m)

Meeting Hall of

Odapada Block Office

Not mentioned

35

EENNVVIIRROONNMMEENNTTAALL CCLLEEAARRAANNCCEE MINING PROJECTS • Expansion of Kusumdihi Manganese Ore & Bauxite Mining

Project of M/s Bonai Industrial Company Limited located in Village Kusumdihi, Tehsil Bonai, District Sundergarh, Orissa - environmental clearance regarding.

• Expansion of Jaribahal Iron Ore Mining Project of M/s

Patnaik Minerals Pvt. Ltd. located in Village Jaribahal, Tehsil Champua, District Keonjhar, Orissa- environmental clearance regarding

• Khalpadar Graphite Mining Project of M/s T.P. Minerals (P)

Ltd. located in Village Khalpadar, Tehsil Muniguda, District Rayagada, Orissa -environmental clearance reg.

• Expansion of Raikela Iron Ore Mining Project of M/s

Geetarani Mohanty located in Village Raikela, Tehsil Bonai, District Sunderarh, Orissa-environmental clearance reg.

INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS No record found.

36

Expansion of Kusumdihi Manganese Ore & Bauxite Mining Project of M/s Bonai Industrial Company Limited located in Village Kusumdihi, Tehsil Bonai, District Sundergarh, Orissa - environmental clearance regarding.

No.J-11015/644/2007-IA.II(M) Government of India

Ministry of Environment & Forests

Paryavaran Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex, Lodi Road,

New Delhi - 110 003

Dated the 13th August, 2008 To

M/s Bonai Industrial Company Limited ?Rungta Office?, Main Raod, Barbil, Keonjhar Orissa ? 758 035 E-mail: [email protected]

Subject: Expansion of Kusumdihi Manganese Ore & Bauxite

Mining Project of M/s Bonai Industrial Company Limited located in Village Kusumdihi, Tehsil Bonai, District Sundergarh, Orissa - environmental clearance regarding.

Sir, This has reference to your letter No.BICO/CGM/06-07/ENV-4 dated 23.06.2007 and subsequent letters dated 31.03.2008 and 09.05.2008 on the subject mentioned above. The proposal is for renewal of mining lease and enhancement of production of manganese ore from 1,400tonnes per annum (TPA) to 12,000TPA and bauxite from 9,300TPA to 12,000TPA. The total mine lease area of the project is 52.176ha, out of which 17.183ha is forestland and 34.993ha is wasteland. Area proposed for mining is 21.948ha, an area of 3.2ha is kept for temporary storage of over burden, 2.48ha for mineral storage, 0.03ha for infrastructure, 1.17ha for roads, 3.9ha for green belt and 19.448ha is others (virgin land). The Kusumdihi Nallah is flowing near the lease towards West. In addition, the Karo River and Samij Nallah also flows at a distance of 3.31km and 3.1km respectively from the mine lease. No national park/wildlife sanctuary/elephant reserve/tiger reserve (existing as well as proposed) and their corridors fall within 10km of the mine lease. The Karo Karampada Elephant Corridor is reported at a distance 14.52km from the mine lease boundary. A map duly authenticated by DFO and Wildlife Warden,

37

Bonai Division, has been submitted in this regard. Five reserve forests namely Kathmala RF, Mendhamaruni RF, Karo RF, Uliburu RF and Torha RF are located in the buffer zone of the mine at a distance of 1.29 km WSW, 2.96km E, 0.68km NWN, 9.2 km NE and 6.76km NW respectively. The mine working is opencast by manual method involving blasting. The targetted production capacity of the mine is 12,000TPA each of manganese ore and bauxite and life of mine is 32years. Approximately 40TPD each of manganese ore and bauxite will be transported through road. The topography of the area is undulated and hilly at an elevation ranging from 590m RL to 645m RL. The present working depth of mine varies from 631m RL-635m RL. The ultimate working depth of

..2/- mine proposed between 615m RL to 635m RL. The ground water table is at 590m RL. The mine working will not intersect ground water table. The peak water requirement of the project is estimated as 26m3 per day, out of which 24m3 per day will be met from the Karo River and remaining 2m3 per day from the ground water. There is no population in the core zone, therefore, no displacement of population and R&R is involved. Approximately 9,145m3 per month of over burden (laterite, shale, BHQ) will be generated, which will be dumped in the earmarked areas for backfilling. It is estimated that 32,62,053m3 of waste will be generated during the life of mine, which will be backfilled. The existing over burden(OB) dumps will be liquidated within five years. The waste/OB being generated will be stored temporarily and will be liquidated phase-wise. There will be no external OB dump at the end of the mine life. Plantation will be raised in an area of 31.528ha at the end of the mine life and there will be no water body left during the post mining stage. The public hearing of the project was held on 17.06.2007, as per EIA Notification, 2006 for production of 12,459TPA of manganese ore and 12,000TPA of bauxite over an area of 52.167ha. The Indian Bureau of Mines had approved scheme of mining alongwith progressive mine closure plan of the project on 28.03.2008 for lease area of 52.176ha. In principle forestry clearance for diversion of 2.367ha forestland for second renewal of mining lease was obtained on 25.03.2008 from Regional Office, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Bhubneswar. The capital cost of the project is Rs.50Lakhs. 2. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has examined the application in accordance with Section 12 of the EIA Notification 2006 read with para 1.2 of Circular No.J-11013/41/2006-IA.II(I) dated 13.10.2006 and hereby accords environmental clearance under the provisions thereof to the above mentioned Kusumdihi Manganese Ore & Bauxite Mining Project of M/s Bonai Industrial Company Limited for an annual production capacity of 12,000tonnes (0.012million tonnes) of manganese ore and 12,000tonnes(0.012million tonnes) of bauxite by opencast manual method involving lease area of 52.176ha, subject to implementation of the following conditions and environmental safeguards. A. Specific conditions (i) The project proponent shall obtain Consent to Establish from the State Pollution

Control Board, Orissa and effectively implement all the conditions stipulated therein.

38

(ii) Necessary forestry clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for an

area of 17.183ha forestland shall be obtained before starting mining operation in that area. Till such time mining activities shall be restricted to an area of 2.367ha forestland for which in principle forestry clearance has been obtained from the Ministry on 25.03.2008. The environmental clearance is subject to grant of forestry clearance.

..3/- (iii) The mining operations shall be restricted to above ground water table and it

should not intersect groundwater table. In case of working below ground water table, prior approval of the Ministry of Environment & Forests and Central Ground Water Authority shall be obtained for which a detailed hydro-geological study shall be carried out.

(iv) The project proponent shall ensure that no natural water course and/or water

resources shall be obstructed due to any mining operations. (v) The over burden (OB) generated during the mining operation shall temporarily be

stacked at earmarked dump site(s) only for backfilling. The existing OB dumps shall be liquidated within five years. Concurrent backfilling shall start from the 6th year onwards and there shall be no external over burden dump at the end of the mine life. The backfilled area shall be reclaimed and rehabilitated by plantation. Monitoring and management of rehabilitated areas shall continue until the vegetation becomes self-sustaining. Compliance status shall be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests and its Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar on six monthly basis.

(vi) Catch drains and siltation ponds of appropriate size shall be constructed around

the working pit(s), soil, mineral and OB dumps to prevent run off of water and flow of sediments directly into the the Kusumdihi Nallah, Samij Nallah, Karo River and other water bodies. The water so collected should be utilized for watering the mine area, roads, green belt development etc. The drains should be regularly desilted particularly after monsoon and maintained properly.

Garland drains, settling tanks and check dams of appropriate size, gradient and length shall be constructed both around the mine pit and temporary over burden dumps to prevent run off of water and flow of sediments directly into the Kusumdihi Nallah, Samij Nallah, Karo River and other water bodies and sump capacity should be designed keeping 50% safety margin over and above peak sudden rainfall (based on 50 years data) and maximum discharge in the area adjoining the mine site. Sump capacity should also provide adequate retention period to allow proper settling of silt material. Sedimentation pits should be constructed at the corners of the garland drains and desilted at regular intervals.

(vii) Dimension of the retaining wall at the toe of temporary dumps and OB benches

within the mine to check run-off and siltation should be based on the rain fall

39

data. (viii) Plantation shall be raised in an area of 31.528ha including a 7.5m wide green belt

in the safety zone around the mining lease, backfilled and reclaimed area, roads etc. by planting the native species in consultation

..4/- with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees should be around 2500 plants per ha.

(ix) Effective safeguard measures such as regular water sprinkling shall be carried out

in critical areas prone to air pollution and having high levels of SPM and RPM such as haul road, loading and unloading point and transfer points. It should be ensured that the Ambient Air Quality parameters conform to the norms prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board in this regard.

(x) Regular monitoring of water quality upstream and downstream of Kusumdihi

Nallah, Samij Nallah and other steams, if any shall be carried out and record of monitoring data should be maintained and submitted to Ministry of Environment and Forests, its Regional Office, Bhubneswar, Central Groundwater Authority, Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board, State Pollution Control Board and Central Pollution Control Board.

(xi) The project authority shall implement suitable conservation measures to augment

ground water resources in the area in consultation with the Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.

(xii) Regular monitoring of ground water level and quality shall be carried out in and

around the mine lease by establishing a network of existing wells and constructing new piezometers during the mining operation. The monitoring should be carried out four times in a year- pre-monsoon (April-May), monsoon (August), post-monsoon (November) and winter (January) and the data thus collected may be sent regularly to Ministry of Environment and Forests and its Regional Office, Bhubaneswar, Central Ground Water Authority and Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.

(xiii) The project proponent shall obtain necessary prior permission of the competent

authorities for drawl of requisite quantity of water (surface water and ground water) for the project.

(xiv) Appropriate mitigative measures shall be taken to prevent pollution of the Karo

River in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board. (xv) Suitable rainwater harvesting measures on long term basis shall be planned and

implemented in consultation with Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.

40

(xvi) Vehicular emissions shall be kept under control and regularly monitored. Measures shall be taken for maintenance of vehicles used in mining operations and in transportation of mineral. The vehicles should be covered with a tarpaulin and shall not be overloaded.

..5/- (xvii) Minerals handling plant should be provided with adequate number of high

efficiency dust extraction system. Loading and unloading areas including all the transfer points should also have efficient dust control arrangements. These should be properly maintained and operated.

(xviii) Blasting operation should be carried out only during the daytime. Controlled

blasting should be practiced. The mitigative measures for control of ground vibrations and to arrest fly rocks and boulders should be implemented.

(xix) Drills shall either be operated with dust extractors or equipped with water

injection system. (xx) Consent to operate shall be obtained from the State Pollution Control Board prior

to start of enhanced production from the mine. (xxi) Sewage treatment plant should be installed for the colony. ETP should also be

provided for workshop and wastewater generated during mining operation. (xxii) The project proponent shall take all precautionary measures during mining

operation for conservation and protection of endangered fauna such as python etc. spotted in the study area. Action plan for conservation of flora and fauna shall be prepared and implemented in consultation with the State Forest and Wildlife Department. Necessary allocation of funds towards the cost of implementation of the plan and/or Regional Wildlife Management Plan for conservation of flora and fauna so prepared by the State Government shall be made. The amount so contributed shall be included in the project cost. A copy of action plan may be submitted to the Ministry and its Regional Office, Bhubaneswar within 3 months.

(xxiii) A Final Mine Closure Plan along with details of Corpus Fund should be submitted

to the Ministry of Environment & Forests 5 years in advance of final mine closure for approval.

B. General conditions (i) No change in mining technology and scope of working should be made without

prior approval of the Ministry of Environment & Forests. (ii) No change in the calendar plan including excavation, quantum of mineral

manganese ore and bauxite and waste shall be made.

41

(iii) Four ambient air quality-monitoring stations should be established in the core zone as well as in the buffer zone for RPM, SPM, SO2

& NOx ..6/-

monitoring. Location of the stations should be decided based on the meteorological data, topographical features and environmentally and ecologically sensitive targets and frequency of monitoring should be undertaken in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.

(iv) Data on ambient air quality (RPM, SPM, SO2 & NOx) should be regularly

submitted to the Ministry including its Regional office located at Bhubaneswar and the State Pollution Control Board / Central Pollution Control Board once in six months.

(v) Fugitive dust emissions from all the sources should be controlled regularly. Water

spraying arrangement on haul roads, loading and unloading and at transfer points should be provided and properly maintained.

(vi) Measures should be taken for control of noise levels below 85 dBA in the work

environment. Workers engaged in operations of HEMM, etc. should be provided with ear plugs / muffs.

(vii) Industrial waste water (workshop and waste water from the mine) should be

properly collected, treated so as to conform to the standards prescribed under GSR 422 (E) dated 19th May, 1993 and 31st December, 1993 or as amended from time to time. Oil and grease trap should be installed before discharge of workshop effluents.

(viii) Personnel working in dusty areas should wear protective respiratory devices and

they should also be provided with adequate training and information on safety and health aspects.

Occupational health surveillance program of the workers should be undertaken periodically to observe any contractions due to exposure to dust and take corrective measures, if needed.

(ix) A separate environmental management cell with suitable qualified personnel

should be set-up under the control of a Senior Executive, who will report directly to the Head of the Organization.

(x) The funds earmarked for environmental protection measures should be kept in

separate account and should not be diverted for other purpose. Year wise expenditure should be reported to the Ministry and its Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar.

(xi) The project authorities shall inform to the Regional Office located at

Bhubaneswar regarding date of financial closures and final approval of the project by the concerned authorities and the date of start of land development work.

42

..7/- (xii) The Regional Office of this Ministry located at Bhubaneswar shall monitor

compliance of the stipulated conditions. The project authorities should extend full cooperation to the officer (s) of the Regional Office by furnishing the requisite data / information / monitoring reports.

(xiii) The project proponent shall submit six monthly report on the status of the

implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, its Regional Office, Bhubaneswar, Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board.

(xiv) A copy of clearance letter will be marked to concerned Panchayat / local NGO, if

any, from whom suggestion / representation has been received while processing the proposal.

(xv) State Pollution Control Board should display a copy of the clearance letter at the

Regional office, District Industry Centre and Collector`s office/ Tehsildar`s Office for 30 days.

(xvi) The project authorities should advertise at least in two local newspapers widely

circulated, one of which shall be in the vernacular language of the locality concerned, within 7 days of the issue of the clearance letter informing that the project has been accorded environmental clearance and a copy of the clearance letter is available with the State Pollution Control Board and also at web site of the Ministry of Environment and Forests at http://envfor.nic.in and a copy of the same should be forwarded to the Regional Office of this Ministry located Bhubaneswar.

3. The Ministry or any other competent authority may alter/modify the above conditions or stipulate any further condition in the interest of environment protection. 4. Failure to comply with any of the conditions mentioned above may result in withdrawal of this clearance and attract action under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 5. The above conditions will be enforced inter-alia, under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 along with their amendments and rules made thereunder and also any other orders passed by any Court of Law relating to the subject matter. 6. Any appeal against this environmental clearance shall lie with the National Environment Appellate Authority, if preferred within a period of 30 days as prescribed under Section 11 of the National Environment Appellate Act, 1997.

43

(SATISH C. GARKOTI) Additional Director (S)

..8/- Copy to:

(i) The Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, Shastri Bhawan, New

Delhi. (ii) The Secretary, Department of Environment, Government of Orissa, Secretariat,

Bhubaneswar. (iii) The Secretary, Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Orissa,

Secretariat, Bhubaneswar. (iv) The Secretary, Department of Forests, Government of Orissa, Secretariat,

Bhubaneswar. (v) The Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Orissa, Bhubaneswar.

(vi) The Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, Parivesh Bhawan, CBD-

cum-Office Complex, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi-110032.

(vii) The Chief Conservator of Forests, Regional Office (EZ), Ministry of Environment and Forests, A-3 Chandrashekharpur, Bhubaneshwar-751023.

(viii) The Chairman, Orissa State Pollution Control Board, Parivesh Bhawan, A/118

Nilakantha Nagar, Unit-VIII, Bhubaneshwar-751012. (ix) The Member Secretary, Central Ground Water Authority, A2, W3 Curzon Road

Barracks, K.G. Marg, New Delhi-110001. (x) The District Collector, Sundergarh District, Government of Orissa.

(xi) EI Division, Ministry of Environment & Forests, EI Division, New Delhi. (xii) Monitoring File. (xiii) Guard File. (xiv) Record File.


44

Expansion of Jaribahal Iron Ore Mining Project of M/s Patnaik Minerals Pvt. Ltd. located in Village Jaribahal, Tehsil Champua, District Keonjhar, Orissa- environmental clearance regarding

No. J-11015/516/2007-IA.II(M) Government of India


Paryavaran Bhavan, C.G.O. Complex, Lodi Road,

New Delhi-110 003.

Dated the 25th July, 2008

To M/s Patnaik Minerals Pvt. Ltd.

At: Bonaikela, P.O.-Joda, District Keonjhar, Orissa-758 038

Subject: Expansion of Jaribahal Iron Ore Mining Project of

M/s Patnaik Minerals Pvt. Ltd. located in Village Jaribahal, Tehsil Champua, District Keonjhar, Orissa- environmental clearance regarding

Sir, This has reference to your letter No. ?Nil? dated 25.05.2007 and subsequent letter

dated ?Nil? received in the Ministry on 25.10.2007 and letters dated 12.03.2008, 08.04.2008 and 19.04.2008 on the subject mentioned above. The proposal is for enhancement of production of iron ore to 0.998million tonnes per annum (million TPA). The total mine lease area of the project is 106.533ha, out of which 4.406ha is an agricultural land, 3.893ha is forestland, 98.06ha is wasteland and 0.174ha is road. Area proposed for mining is 61.232ha, an area of 0.75ha is kept for storage of topsoil, 20.918ha for OB dumps, 3.305ha for mineral storage, 0.071ha for infrastructure, 3.303ha for roads, 5.806ha for green belt and 11.148ha is others (untouched area). The Baitrani River is located at a distance of 3.5km from the mine lease boundary. No national park/wildlife sanctuary/biosphere reserve/tiger reserve/elephant reserve etc. is reported to be located in the core and buffer zone of the mine and that the area does not report to form corridor for Schedule-I fauna. In support of this, the project proponent has provided a map duly authenticated by DFO cum Wildlife Warden, Keonjhar Division. The Baitarni Reserve Forest is in the buffer zone of mine at a distance of 3.5km from the mine lease. The mine Working will be opencast by mechanized method using HEMM and involving

45

drilling and blasting. The targetted production capacity of the mine is 0.998million TPA and the life of mine is 10years. Mineral will be transported through road and railways. The topography of the area is undulated and hilly at an elevation of 642m RL. The present working depth of mine is 570m RL and the ultimate working depth of mine will be 530m RL. The groundwater table is reported at 420m RL. The mine working will not intersect groundwater table. The water requirement of the project is estimated as 80m3 per day, which will be sourced from the

..2/- ground water. There is no population in the core zone, therefore, displacement of population and R&R is not involved. It has been estimated that 7,82,336m3 of over burden will be generated during the conceptual plan period. The existing nine OB dumps will finally be merged to form three dumps at the end of the mine life. Plantation will be raised in an area of 44.295ha at the end of the mine life. The public hearing of the project was held on 20.04.2007 for production of 1million TPA of iron ore over an area of 106.53ha. The Indian Bureau of Mines had approved scheme of mining along with the progressive mine closure plan of the project on 01.02.2007 for lease area of 106.53ha. The capital cost of the project is Rs.350Lakhs. 2. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has examined the application in accordance with Section 12 of the EIA Notification, 2006 read with para 2.2.1(i)(a) of the Circular No. J-11013/41/2006-IA.II(I) dated 13.10.2006 and hereby accords environmental clearance under the provisions thereof to the above mentioned Jaribahal Iron Ore Mining Project of M/s Patnaik Minerals Pvt. Ltd. for an annual production capacity of 0.998million tonnes by opencast mechanized method involving total lease area of 106.533ha, subject to implementation of the following conditions and environmental safeguards.

A. Specific conditions (i) The project proponent shall obtain Consent to Establish from the State Pollution

Control Board, Orissa and effectively implement all the conditions stipulated therein.

(ii) Necessary forestry clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for an

area of 3.893ha forestland shall be obtained before starting mining operation in that area. Environmental clearance is subject to grant of forestry clearance.

(iii) The mining operations shall be restricted to above ground water table and it

should not intersect groundwater table. In case of working below ground water table, prior approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Central Ground Water Authority shall be obtained, for which a detailed hydro-geological study shall be carried out.

(iv) The project proponent shall ensure that no natural watercourse and/or water

resources shall be obstructed due to any mining operations.

46

(v) The top soil, if any, shall temporarily be stored at earmarked site(s) only and it should not be kept unutilized for a period more than 3years. The topsoil shall be used for land reclamation and plantation.

(vi) The over burden (OB) generated during the mining operation shall be stacked at

earmarked dump site(s) only and it should not be kept active ..3/-

for long period of time. There shall be three external over burden dumps at the end of the mine life. Proper terracing of OB dumps shall be carried out so that the overall slope shall not exceed 280. The over burden dumps shall be scientifically vegetated with suitable native species to prevent erosion and surface run off. In critical areas, use of geo textiles shall be undertaken for stabilization of the dumps. Monitoring and management of rehabilitated areas shall continue until the vegetation becomes self-sustaining. Compliance status should be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests and its Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar on six monthly basis.

(vii) Catch drains and siltation ponds of appropriate size shall be constructed around

the working pit(s), mineral and OB dumps to prevent run off of water and flow of sediments directly into the Baitarni river and other water bodies. The water so collected should be utilized for watering the mine area, roads, green belt development etc. The drains should be regularly desilted particularly after monsoon and maintained properly.

Garland drains, settling tanks and check dams of appropriate size, gradient and length shall be constructed both around the mine pit(s) and over burden dump(s) to prevent run off of water and flow of sediments directly into the Baitarni river and other water bodies and sump capacity should be designed keeping 50% safety margin over and above peak sudden rainfall (based on 50 years data) and maximum discharge in the area adjoining the mine site. Sump capacity should also provide adequate retention period to allow proper settling of silt material. Sedimentation pits should be constructed at the corners of the garland drains and desilted at regular intervals.

(viii) Dimension of the retaining wall at the toe of over burden dumps and over burden

benches within the mine to check run-off and siltation shall be based on the rain fall data.

(ix) Plantation shall be raised in an area of 44.295ha including a 7.5m wide green belt

in the safety zone around the mining lease, quarry benches, over burden dumps, roads etc. by planting the native species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees should be around 2500 plants per ha.

(x) Regular water sprinkling shall be carried out in critical areas prone to air pollution

and having high levels of SPM and RPM such as around crushing and screening

47

plant, loading and unloading point and transfer points. Extensive water sprinkling should be carried out on haul roads. It shall be ensured that the Ambient Air Quality parameters conform to the norms prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board in this regard.

..4/- (xi) The project authority shall implement suitable conservation measures to augment

ground water resources in the area in consultation with the Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.

(xii) Regular monitoring of ground water level and quality shall be carried out in and

around the mine lease by establishing a network of existing wells and constructing new piezometers during the mining operation. The monitoring should be carried out four times in a year ? pre-monsoon (April-May), monsoon (August), post-monsoon (November) and winter (January) and the data thus collected may be sent regularly to Ministry of Environment and Forests and its Regional Office Bhubaneswar, Central Ground Water Authority and Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.



(xiv) Suitable rainwater harvesting measures on long term basis shall be planned and


(xv) Appropriate mitigative measures shall be taken to prevent pollution of the

Baitarni River in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.

(xvi) Minerals handling plant shall be provided with adequate number of high efficiency dust extraction system. Loading and unloading areas including all the transfer points should also have efficient dust control arrangements. These shall be properly maintained and operated.

(xvii) Vehicular emissions shall be kept under control and regularly monitored.

Measures shall be taken for maintenance of vehicles used in mining operations and in transportation of mineral. The mineral transportation shall be carried out through covered trucks only and the vehicles carrying the mineral shall not be overloaded.

(xviii) Blasting operation shall be carried out only during the daytime. Controlled

blasting shall be practiced. The mitigative measures for control of ground vibrations and to arrest fly rocks and boulders should be implemented.

(xix) Drills shall either be operated with dust extractors or equipped with water

injection system.

48

(xx) Consent to operate shall be obtained from the State Pollution Control Board prior

to start of enhanced production from the mine. ..5/-

(xxi) Sewage treatment plant should be installed for the colony. ETP should also be provided for workshop and wastewater generated during mining operation.

(xxii) The project proponent should take all precautionary measures during mining

operation for conservation and protection of endangered fauna, namely elephant, sloth bear etc. spotted in the study area and contribute towards the cost of implementation of the plan and/or Regional Wildlife Management Plan for conservation of flora and fauna so prepared by the State Forest and Wildlife Department. The amount so contributed shall be included in the project cost. A copy of action plan may be submitted to the Ministry and its Regional Office, Bhubaneswar within 3 months.

(xxiii) A Final Mine Closure Plan along with details of Corpus Fund should be submitted


B. General conditions

(i) No change in mining technology and scope of working should be made without

prior approval of the Ministry of Environment & Forests.

(ii) No change in the calendar plan including excavation, quantum of mineral iron ore and waste should be made.

(iii) Four ambient air quality-monitoring stations should be established in the core

zone as well as in the buffer zone for RPM, SPM, SO2 & NOx monitoring.

Location of the stations should be decided based on the meteorological data, topographical features and environmentally and ecologically sensitive targets and frequency of monitoring should be undertaken in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.





49

(vi) Measures should be taken for control of noise levels below 85 dBA in the work environment. Workers engaged in operations of HEMM, etc. should be provided with ear plugs / muffs.

..6/- (vii) Industrial waste water (workshop and waste water from the mine) should be



they should also be provided with adequate training and information on safety and health aspects.

Occupational health surveillance program of the workers should be undertaken periodically to observe any contractions due to exposure to dust and take corrective measures, if needed.





(xi) The project authorities should inform to the Regional Office located at


(xii) The Regional Office of this Ministry located at Bhubaneswar shall monitor






50

(xv) State Pollution Control Board should display a copy of the clearance letter at the Regional office, District Industry Centre and Collector`s office/ Tehsildar`s Office for 30 days.

..7/- (xvi) The project authorities should advertise at least in two local newspapers widely


3. The Ministry or any other competent authority may alter/modify the above conditions or stipulate any further condition in the interest of environment protection. 4. Failure to comply with any of the conditions mentioned above may result in withdrawal of this clearance and attract action under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 5. The above conditions will be enforced inter-alia, under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 along with their amendments and rules made thereunder and also any other orders passed by any Court of Law relating to the subject matter.

6. Any appeal against this environmental clearance shall lie with the National Environment Appellate Authority, if preferred within a period of 30 days as prescribed under Section 11 of the National Environment Appellate Act, 1997.

(SATISH C. GARKOTI)

Additional Director (S) Copy to:

(i) The Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi.

(ii) The Secretary, Department of Environment, Government of Orissa, Secretariat,



Bhubaneswar.

51

..8/- (v) The Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Orissa, Bhubaneswar.






Barracks, K.G. Marg, New Delhi-110001. (x) The District Collector, Keonjhar District, Government of Orissa.



52

Khalpadar Graphite Mining Project of M/s T.P. Minerals (P) Ltd. located in Village Khalpadar, Tehsil Muniguda, District Rayagada, Orissa -environmental clearance reg.

No.J-11015/851/2007-IA.II (M) Government of India


Paryavaran Bhawan, C.G.O. Complex, Lodi Road,

New Delhi ? 110 003

Dated the 17th July, 2008 To

M/s T.P. Minerals (P) Ltd. Hospital Road, Sambalpur, Orissa-768002

Subject: Khalpadar Graphite Mining Project of M/s T.P.

Minerals (P) Ltd. located in Village Khalpadar, Tehsil Muniguda, District Rayagada, Orissa -environmental clearance reg.

Sir, This has reference to your letter No. ?Nil? dated 10.07.2006 and subsequent

letters dated 19.02.2008, 09.04.2008, 16.04.2008 and 19.04.2008 on the subject mentioned above. The proposal is for opening of a new mine for production of 1500tonnes per annum (TPA) of graphite. The total mine lease area of the project is 29.437ha, out of which 4.233ha is an agricultural land, 22.028ha is wasteland, 2.375ha is grazing land and 0.801ha is road. No forestland is involved. Area proposed for mining is 1.3ha, an area of 0.1ha is kept for storage of top soil, 0.5ha for over burden dumps, 0.1ha for mineral storage, 0.05ha for infrastructure, 0.2ha for roads, 0.75ha for green belt and 26.437ha is others (untouched area). There is no nallah/river flowing through the mine lease area. The Barha Nallah, a tributary of Vansadhara River is located at a distance of 1km from the mine lease boundary. No national park/wildlife sanctuary/biosphere reserve/tiger reserve/elephant reserve etc. is reported to be located in the core and buffer zone of the mine and that the area does not report to form corridor for Schedule-I fauna. A map in support of this has been provided through DFO Raigarh Division. Nine Reserve Forests namely Sorisapadar RF, Bamunidanga RF, Dhepagurha RF, Kudilima RF, Dahikala RF, Karhaghati RF, Tarabarhi RF, Taimagurhi RF and Deokupuli RF are in the buffer zone of the mine. The mine working will be opencast by manual method without involving drilling and blasting. The targetted production capacity of the mine is 1500TPA

53

(0.0015million TPA) of graphite. The life of the mine is 12years. Approximately 5TPD of mineral will be transported through road. The topography of the area is flat at an elevation of 380m AMSL. The ultimate working depth of mine will be 341m AMSL (10m bgl). Groundwater table is at 321m AMSL. The mine Working will not intersect groundwater table. There is no population in the core zone, therefore, no displacement of population and R&R is involved. The peak water requirement of the project is estimated as 10.5m3 per day, which will be sourced from the

..2/- surface water. Approximately 171.44m3 per month of solid waste comprising 21.69m3 per month of topsoil (lateritic soil), 103.74m3 per month of over burden (khondalite, migmatite) and 46.013m3 per month of subgrade ore will be generated, which will be dumped in the earmarked areas. It is estimated that 2192.35m3 of top soil, 17196.75m3 of waste rocks and 5261.5m3 of subgrade ore will be generated during the life of the mine, which will be disposed off in the form of external dump(s). Backfiiling has not been proposed. Plantation will be raised in an area of 2.05ha at the end of the mine life. The public hearing of the project was held on 27.12.2005 for production of 1500TPA of graphite over an area of 29.437ha. The Consent to Establish from the State Pollution Control Board, Orissa obtained on 10.03.2006 for production of 1500TPA of graphite involving lease area of 29.437ha. The Indian Bureau of Mines had approved mining plan including progressive mine closure plan of the project on 15.10.2004 for lease area of 29.437ha. The capital cost of the project is Rs.20Lakhs. 2. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has examined the application in accordance with Section 12 of the EIA Notification, 2006 read with para 2.2.1(i)(a) of the Circular No.J-11013/41/2006-IA.II(I) dated 13.10.2006 and hereby accords environmental clearance under the provisions thereof to the above mentioned Khalpadar Graphite Mining Project of M/s T.P. Minerals (P) Ltd. for an annual production capacity of 1500tonnes (0.0015million tonnes) of graphite by opencast manual method involving total mining lease area of 29.437ha, subject to implementation of the following conditions and environmental safeguards.

A. Specific Conditions (i) All the conditions stipulated by the State Pollution Control Board in their Consent

to Establish shall be effectively implemented. (ii) The mining operations shall be restricted to above ground water table and it

should not intersect groundwater table. Prior approval of the Ministry of Environment & Forests and Central Ground Water Authority shall be obtained for mining below water table.

(iii) The project proponent shall ensure that no natural watercourse and/or water

resources shall be obstructed due to any mining operations.

54

(iv) The top soil shall temporarily be stored at earmarked site only and shall not be kept unutilized for a period more than 3years. The topsoil should be used for land reclamation and plantation.

(v) The project proponent shall develop fodder plots in the non-mineralised area in

lieu of use of grazing land. ..3/-

(vi) Over burden (OB) generated during the mining operation shall be stacked at earmarked dump site(s) only and should not be kept active for long period of time. Proper terracing of OB dump(s) shall be carried out so that the overall slope of dump(s) shall not exceed 280. The OB dump(s) should be scientifically vegetated with suitable native species to prevent erosion and surface run off. In critical areas, use of geo textiles shall be undertaken for stabilization of the dump(s). Monitoring and management of rehabilitated areas should continue until the vegetation becomes self-sustaining. Compliance status should be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and its Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar on six monthly basis.

(vii) Catch drains and siltation ponds of appropriate size shall be constructed for the

working pit, OB dump(s) and mineral dump(s)s to arrest flow of silt and sediment directly into the Vansadhara River, Barha Nallah and other water bodies. The water so collected should be utilized for watering the mine area, roads, green belt development etc. The drains should be regularly desilted, particularly after monsoon, and maintained properly. Garland drains, settling tanks and check dams of appropriate size, gradient and length shall be constructed both around the mine pit and over burden dumps to prevent run off of water and flow of sediments directly into the Vansadhara River, Barha Nallah and other water bodies and sump capacity should be designed keeping 50% safety margin over and above peak sudden rainfall (based on 50 years data) and maximum discharge in the area adjoining the mine site. Sump capacity should also provide adequate retention period to allow proper settling of silt material. Sedimentation pits should be constructed at the corners of the garland drains and desilted at regular intervals.

(viii) Dimension of the retaining wall at the toe of OB dump(s) and OB benches within

the mine to check run-off and siltation should be based on the rain fall data. (ix) Plantation shall be raised in an area of 2.05ha including a 7.5m wide green belt in

the safety zone around the mining lease, OB dump(s), roads etc. by planting the native species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees should be around 2500 trees per ha.

(x) Regular water sprinkling should be carried out in critical areas prone to air

pollution and having high levels of SPM and RPM such as haul road, loading and unloading point and transfer points. It should be ensured that the Ambient Air Quality parameters conform to the norms prescribed by the Central Pollution

55

Control Board in this regard. ..4/-

(xi) The project authority should implement suitable conservation measures to augment ground water resources in the area in consultation with the Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.

(xii) Regular monitoring of ground water level and quality should be carried out in and

around the mine lease. The monitoring should be carried out four times in a year ? pre-monsoon (April-May), monsoon (August), post-monsoon (November) and winter (January) and the data thus collected may be sent regularly to Ministry of Environment and Forests, its Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar, Central Ground Water Authority and Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.



(xiv) Suitable rainwater harvesting measures on long term basis shall be planned and


(xv) The project authorities should undertake sample survey to generate data on pre-

project community health status within a radius of 1km from proposed mine. (xvi) Vehicular emissions shall be kept under control and regularly monitored.

Measures shall be taken for maintenance of vehicles used in mining operations and in transportation of mineral. The vehicles should be covered with a tarpaulin and shall not be overloaded.

(xvii) Drilling and blasting operations shall not be carried out. (xviii) Consent to operate shall be obtained from SPCB before starting production from

the mine. (xix) The project proponent shall take all precautionary measures during mining

operation for conservation and protection of endangered fauna namely tiger, panther etc. spotted in the study area. Action plan for conservation of flora and fauna shall be prepared and implemented in consultation with the State Forest and Wildlife Department. Necessary allocation of funds for implementation of the conservation plan shall be made and the funds so allocated shall be included in the project cost. Copy of action plan may be submitted to the Ministry and its Regional Office within 3 months.

(xx) A Final Mine Closure Plan along with details of Corpus Fund should be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests 5 years in advance of final mine closure for approval.

..5/-

56


(i) No change in mining technology and scope of working should be made without

prior approval of the Ministry of Environment & Forests. (ii) No change in the calendar plan including excavation, quantum of mineral graphite

and waste should be made. (iii) Four ambient air quality-monitoring stations should be established in the core












they should also be provided with adequate training and information on safety and health aspects. Occupational health surveillance program of the workers should be undertaken periodically to observe any contractions due to exposure to dust and take corrective measures, if needed.

(x) A separate environmental management cell with suitable qualified personnel


..6/- (xi) The funds earmarked for environmental protection measures should be kept in

separate account and should not be diverted for other purpose. Year wise

57

expenditure should be reported to the Ministry and its Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar.

(xii) The project authorities should inform to the Regional Office located at


(xiii) The Regional Office of this Ministry located at Bhubaneswar shall monitor


(xiv) The project proponent shall submit six monthly report on the status of the


(xv) A copy of clearance letter will be marked to concerned Panchayat / local NGO, if


(xvi) State Pollution Control Board should display a copy of the clearance letter at the


(xvii) The project authorities should advertise at least in two local newspapers widely


3. The Ministry or any other competent authority may alter/modify the above conditions or stipulate any further condition in the interest of environment protection. 4. Failure to comply with any of the conditions mentioned above may result in withdrawal of this clearance and attract action under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

..7/- 5. The above conditions will be enforced inter-alia, under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 along with their amendments and rules made thereunder and also any other orders passed by any Court of Law relating to the subject matter.

58

6. Any appeal against this environmental clearance shall lie with the National Environment Appellate Authority, if preferred within a period of 30 days as prescribed under Section 11 of the National Environment Appellate Act, 1997.


Copy to:




Secretariat, Bhubaneswar.

(iv) The Secretary, Department of Forests, Government of Orissa, Secretariat, Bhubaneswar.

(v) The Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Orissa, Bhubaneswar.

(vi) The Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, Parivesh Bhawan, CBD-cum-

Office Complex, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi-110032.




Barracks, K.G. Marg, New Delhi-110001. (x) The District Collector, Rayagada District, Government of Orissa.

(xi) EI Division, Ministry of Environment & Forests, EI Division, New Delhi.

..8/- (xii) Monitoring File. (xiii) Guard File. (xiv) Record File.

(SATISH C. GARKOTI) (Additional Director (S)

59

Expansion of Raikela Iron Ore Mining Project of M/s Geetarani Mohanty located in Village Raikela, Tehsil Bonai, District Sunderarh, Orissa-environmental clearance reg.

No. J-11015/380/2006-IA.II(M) Government of India


Paryavaran Bhavan, C.G.O. Complex, Lodi Road,

New Delhi-110003.

Dated the 2nd July, 2008

To M/s Geetarani Mohanty

Station Road, Barbil, Keonjhar, ORISSA-758 035 E: mail: [email protected]

Subject: Expansion of Raikela Iron Ore Mining Project of M/s

Geetarani Mohanty located in Village Raikela, Tehsil Bonai, District Sunderarh, Orissa-environmental clearance reg.

Sir,

This has reference to your letter No. 231/GRM/MoEF/05-06 dated 17.03.2006 and subsequent letters dated 05.12.2006, 27.07.2007, 15.10.2007, 17.12.2007, 23.03.2008 and 02.04.2008 on the subject mentioned above. The proposal is for enhancement of production of iron ore from 0.142 million tonnes per annum (million TPA) to 0.864million TPA. The total mine lease area of the project is 67.586ha, out of which 66.671ha is forestland and 0.915ha is others (Sarba Sadharana). Area proposed for mining is 50.893ha, an area of 3ha is kept for over burden dump, 4.568ha for mineral storage, 0.2ha for infrastructure, 2.985ha for roads, 2.603ha for green belt, 2.422ha for mineral separation plant and 0.915ha is others. It has been proposed that the Sarba Sadharana land of 0.915ha will not be acquired. The Suna Nallah is located at a distance of 1km toward North West boundary of mine lease area. The Karo River is reported to be located at a distance of 7.5km in South West of the mine lease. No national park/wildlife sanctuary/biosphere reserve/tiger reserve/elephant reserve etc. is reported to be located in the core and buffer zone of the mine and that the area does not report to

60

form corridor for Schedule-I fauna. In support of this, the project proponent has furnished a map duly authenticated by DFO and Wildlife Warden, Boani Division. The Torha RF and Amrohi RF are in the buffer zone of the mine. The mine working will be opencast by semi-mechanised method involving drilling and blasting. The targetted production capacity of the mine is 0.864million TPA of iron ore and life of mine is 15years. Approximately 3000TPD of mineral will be transported through road. Mineral beneficiation is not a part of the project; however, sizing and screening of the ore will be carried out in the lease area. The topography of the area is hilly at an

..2/- elevation ranging from 300m-840m AMSL. The ultimate working depth of mine will be 658m RL. The ground water table reported to prevail at 670m RL and the mine working will, therefore, go beyond water table. The water requirement of the project is estimated as 64.5m3 per day, out of which 14m3 per day will be sourced from the groundwater and remaining 50.5m3 per day will be met from the surface water. One revenue village namely Raikela, having no population is in the core zone of the mine, however, no displacement of population and R&R is involved. Approximately 16,000m3 per month of solid waste comprising 12,000m3 per month of over burden (ferruginous laterite) 4,000m3 per month of sub grade ore will be generated, which will be stacked in the earmarked areas. It is estimated that 21,44,567m3 of waste will be generated during the mine life, out of which 8,17,002m3 will be disposed off in the form of external dump and 13,27,565m3 will be backfilled in 7ha of mined out area. Plantation will be raised in an area of 20.276ha at the end of the mine life. The public hearing of the project was held on 20.10.2005. The consent to establish from the State Pollution Control Board, Orissa obtained on 31.01.2006 for production of 72000TPM of iron ore involving lease area of 64.068ha. The Indian Bureau of Mines had approved scheme of mining along with the progressive mine closure plan of the project on 17.02.2005 for lease area of 67.586ha. The capital cost of the project is Rs.981.4Lakhs.

2. The Ministry of Environment and Forests has examined the application in accordance with Section 12 of the EIA Notification, 2006 read with para 1.2 of the Circular No. J-11013/41/2006-IA.II(I) dated 13.10.2006 and hereby accords environmental clearance under the provisions thereof to the above mentioned Raikela Iron Ore Mining Project of M/s Geetarani Mohanty for an annual production capacity of 0.864million tonnes of iron ore(ROM) by opencast semi-mechanized method involving mining lease area of 67.586ha, subject to implementation of the following conditions and environmental safeguards.

A. Specific conditions (i) All the conditions stipulated by the State Pollution Control Board, Orissa in their

consent to establish shall be effectively implemented. (ii) Necessary forestry clearance under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for an

area of 66.671ha is forestland shall be obtained before starting mining operation in that area. Environmental clearance is subject to grant of forestry clearance.

61

(iii) The mining operations shall be restricted to 2m above the reported water table i.e. 672m RL and it should not intersect groundwater table.

..3/- In case of working below ground water table, prior approval of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Central Ground Water Authority shall be obtained, for which a detailed hydro-geological study shall be carried out.

(iv) The project proponent shall ensure that no natural watercourse and/or water

resources shall be obstructed due to any mining operations. (v) The top soil, if any, shall temporarily be stored at earmarked site(s) only and it

should not be kept unutilized for a period more than 3years. The topsoil shall be used for land reclamation and plantation.

(vi) The over burden (OB) generated during the mining operation shall be stacked at

earmarked dump site(s) only and should not be kept active for long period of time. Proper terracing of OB dump shall be carried out so that the overall slope shall not exceed 28 degree. Out of the total 21,44,567m3 of waste to be generated during the mine life, 8,17,002m3 shall be disposed off in the form of external dump and 13,27,565m3 shall be backfilled in 7ha of mined out area. The backfilled area shall be afforested. The over burden dumps shall be scientifically vegetated with suitable native species to prevent erosion and surface run off. In critical areas, use of geo textiles shall be undertaken for stabilization of the dumps. Monitoring and management of rehabilitated areas should continue until the vegetation becomes self-sustaining. Compliance status should be submitted to the Ministry of Environment & Forests and its Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar on six monthly basis.

(vii) Catch drains and siltation ponds of appropriate size shall be constructed around

the working pit(s), mineral and OB dumps to prevent run off of water and flow of sediments directly into the Suna Nallah, Karo nallah, rivers and water bodies. The water so collected should be utilized for watering the mine area, roads, green belt development etc. The drains should be regularly desilted particularly after monsoon and maintained properly. Garland drains, settling tanks and check dams of appropriate size, gradient and length shall be constructed both around the mine pit and temporary over burden dumps to prevent run off of water and flow of sediments directly into the Suna Nallah, Karo nallah, rivers and water bodies and sump capacity should be designed keeping 50% safety margin over and above peak sudden rainfall (based on 50 years data) and maximum discharge in the area adjoining the mine site. Sump capacity should also provide adequate retention period to allow proper settling of silt material. Sedimentation pits should be constructed at the corners of the garland drains and desilted at regular intervals.

..4/-

62

(viii) Dimension of the retaining wall at the toe of over burden dump and over burden benches within the mine to check run-off and siltation shall be based on the rain fall data.

(ix) Plantation shall be raised in an area of 20.276ha including a 7.5m wide green belt

in the safety zone around the mining lease, backfilled area, quarry benches, roads etc. by planting the native species in consultation with the local DFO/Agriculture Department. The density of the trees should be around 2500 plants per ha.

(x) Regular water sprinkling shall be carried out in critical areas prone to air pollution

and having high levels of SPM and RPM such as around crushing and screening plant, loading and unloading point and transfer points. Extensive water sprinkling should be carried out on haul roads. It shall be ensured that the Ambient Air Quality parameters conform to the norms prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board in this regard.

(xi) Regular monitoring of water quality upstream and downstream of Suna Nallah

and Karo nallah shall be carried out and record of monitoring data should be maintained and submitted to Ministry of Environment and Forests, its Regional Office, Bhubneswar, Central Groundwater Authority, Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board, State Pollution Control Board and Central Pollution Control Board.

(xii) The project authority should implement suitable conservation measures to

augment ground water resources in the area in consultation with the Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.

(xiii) Regular monitoring of ground water level and quality should be carried out in and

around the mine lease by establishing a network of existing wells and constructing new piezometers during the mining operation. The monitoring should be carried out four times in a year ? pre-monsoon (April-May), monsoon (August), post-monsoon (November) and winter (January) and the data thus collected may be sent regularly to Ministry of Environment and Forests and its Regional Office Bhubaneswar, Central Ground Water Authority and Regional Director, Central Ground Water Board.

(xiv) The project proponent shall obtain necessary prior permission of the competent


(xv) Suitable rainwater harvesting measures on long term basis shall be planned and


..5/-

63

(xvi) Appropriate mitigative measures should be taken to prevent pollution of Karo River in consultation with the State Pollution Control Board.

(xvii) Minerals handling plant shall be provided with adequate number of high

efficiency dust extraction system. Loading and unloading areas including all the transfer points should also have efficient dust control arrangements. These shall be properly maintained and operated.

(xviii) Vehicular emissions shall be kept under control and regularly monitored.

Measures shall be taken for maintenance of vehicles used in mining operations and in transportation of mineral. The mineral transportation shall be carried out through covered trucks only and the vehicles carrying the mineral shall not be overloaded.

(xix) Blasting operation shall be carried out only during the daytime. Controlled

blasting shall be practiced. The mitigative measures for control of ground vibrations and to arrest fly rocks and boulders should be implemented.

(xx) Drills shall either be operated with dust extractors or equipped with water

injection system. (xxi) Consent to operate shall be obtained from the State Pollution Control Board prior

to start of enhanced production from the mine. (xxii) Sewage treatment plant should be installed for the colony. ETP should also be

provided for workshop and wastewater generated during mining operation. (xxiii) The project proponent should take all precautionary measures during mining

operation for conservation and protection of endangered fauna, if any spotted in the study area and contribute towards the cost of implementation of the plan and/or Regional Wildlife Management Plan for conservation of flora and fauna so prepared by the State Forest and Wildlife Department. The amount so contributed shall be included in the project cost. A copy of action plan may be submitted to the Ministry and its Regional Office, Bhubaneswar within 3 months.

(xxiv) A Final Mine Closure Plan along with details of Corpus Fund should be submitted



(i) No change in mining technology and scope of working should be made

without prior approval of the Ministry of Environment & Forests. ..6/-

64

(ii) No change in the calendar plan including excavation, quantum of mineral iron ore and waste should be made.

(iii) Four ambient air quality-monitoring stations should be established in the core












they should also be provided with adequate training and information on safety and health aspects. Occupational health surveillance program of the workers should be undertaken periodically to observe any contractions due to exposure to dust and take corrective measures, if needed.





..7/-

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(xi) The project authorities should inform to the Regional Office located at Bhubaneswar regarding date of financial closures and final approval of the project by the concerned authorities and the date of start of land development work.

(xii) The Regional Office of this Ministry located at Bhubaneswar shall monitor






(xv) State Pollution Control Board should display a copy of the clearance letter at the


(xvi) The project authorities should advertise at least in two local newspapers widely


3. The Ministry or any other competent authority may alter/modify the above conditions or stipulate any further condition in the interest of environment protection. 4. Failure to comply with any of the conditions mentioned above may result in withdrawal of this clearance and attract action under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. 5. The above conditions will be enforced inter-alia, under the provisions of the Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 along with their amendments and rules made thereunder and also any other orders passed by any Court of Law relating to the subject matter.

..8/- 6. Any appeal against this environmental clearance shall lie with the National Environment Appellate Authority, if preferred within a period of 30 days as prescribed under Section 11 of the National Environment Appellate Act, 1997.

66

(SATISH C. GARKOTI)

Additional Director (S) Copy to:





Bhubaneswar. (v) The Chief Wildlife Warden, Government of Orissa, Bhubaneswar.






Barracks, K.G. Marg, New Delhi-110001. (x) The District Collector, Sundergarh District, Government of Orissa.



67

2x60 MW Coal based Thermal Power Project at Choudwar, District Cuttack, Orissa by M/s Utkal Power Ltd- Environmental Clearance reg.

No. J-13011/19/2008-IA.II(T) Government of India


Paryavaran Bhawan CGO Complex, Lodi Road

New Delhi-110003.

DATED: 9TH MAY, 2008

To

M/s Utkal Power Ltd. Bomikhal, P.O. Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar ? 751 010. Orissa.

Sub: 2x60 MW Coal based Thermal Power Project at Choudwar, District Cuttack, Orissa by M/s Utkal Power Ltd- Environmental Clearance reg.

The undersigned is directed to refer to your communication no. UPL/ENV/08 dated 30.01.2008 regarding the subject mentioned above.

2. It is noted that the proposal is for grant of environmental clearance for setting up of a 2x60 MW coal based thermal power project at Choudwar, District Cuttack, Orissa. The land requirement for the project is 60 acres. The coordinates of the site are 200 31? N and 850 54? E. CFBC boiler with lime injection with efficiency of sulphur removal upto 90% will be provided. Water requirement is 460 m3/hr, which will be obtained from Birupa ? a tributary of river Mahanadi at a distance of 3 km. The coal linkage is available with the group company. NOC have been obtained from Aviation Research Centre, Charbatia, which is at a distance of about 2 km, for setting up this power project and stack height has been restricted to 48 m AGL. No ecologically sensitive area is reported within 10 km radius of the plant boundary; however, Reserve forests are at a distance of 4 km. Public hearing was held on 9.12.2007. Total cost of the project is Rs 437.97 crores, which includes Rs 44.00 crores for environmental protection measures.

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3. The proposal has been considered and Ministry of Environment & Forests hereby accords environmental clearance to the said project under the provisions of Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 subject to implementation of the following terms and conditions:-

(i) The total land requirement for the project shall be restricted to 60.00 acres.

(ii) Sulphur and ash contents in the coal to be used in the project shall not exceed 0.4 % and 50% respectively.

(iii) Two stacks of 48 m height each have been proposed. Continuous online monitoring equipments for Sox, NOx and Particulate will be provided. Exit velocity of flue gases shall not be less than 15 m/sec. Possibility of having a bi-flue stack may be explored and the stack height may be finalized in consultation with CPCB/SPCB.

(iv) High efficiency Electrostatic Precipitator (ESPs) shall be installed to ensure that particulate emission does not exceed 50 mg/Nm3.

(v) CFBC boiler with lime injection with efficiency of sulphur removal upto 90% shall be provided. .

(vi) Dry low Nox burners shall be provided.

(vii) Adequate dust extraction system such as cyclones/ bag filters and water spray system in dusty areas such as in coal handling and ash handling points, transfer areas and other vulnerable dusty areas shall be provided.

(viii) Fly ash shall be collected in dry form and its 100 % utilization shall be achieved from day one.

(ix) No ash dyke shall be created as part of this project; however, an area not exceeding one acre shall be earmarked for ash handling.

(x) Closed cycle cooling system with cooling towers shall be provided. The effluent shall be treated as per the prescribed norms.

(xi) The treated effluents conforming to the prescribed standards shall be re-circulated and reused within the plant. There shall be no discharge outside the plant boundary except during monsoon for storm water. Arrangements shall be made that effluents and storm water do not get mixed.

(xii) A sewage treatment plant shall be provided and the treated sewage shall be used for raising greenbelt/plantation.

(xiii) Rainwater harvesting should be adopted. Central Groundwater Authority/ Board shall be consulted for finalization of appropriate rainwater harvesting technology within a period of three months from the date of clearance and details shall be furnished.

(xiv) Adequate safety measures shall be provided in the plant area to check/minimize spontaneous fires in coal yard, especially during summer season. Copy of the these measures with full details along with location plant layout shall be

69

submitted to the Ministry as well as to the Regional Office of the Ministry at Bhubaneswar.

(xv) Regular monitoring of ground water in and around the plant area shall be carried out, records maintained and periodic reports shall be furnished to the Regional Office of this Ministry.

(xvi) A green belt of adequate width and density shall be developed around the plant periphery covering about 1/3rd of the project area preferably with local species.

(xvii) First aid and sanitation arrangements shall be made for the drivers and other contract workers during construction phase.

(xviii) Leq of Noise levels emanating from gas and steam turbines shall be limited to 75 dBA. For people working in the high noise area, requisite personal protective equipment like earplugs/ear muffs etc. shall be provided. Workers engaged in noisy areas such as steam & gas turbines, air compressors etc shall be periodically examined to maintain audiometric record and for treatment for any hearing loss including shifting to non noisy/less noisy areas.

(xix) Regular monitoring of ground level concentration of SO2, NOx, SPM and RSPM shall be carried out in the impact zone and records maintained. If at any stage these levels are found to exceed the prescribed limits, necessary control measures shall be provided immediately. The location of the monitoring stations and frequency of monitoring shall be decided in consultation with SPCB. Periodic reports shall be submitted to the Regional Office of this Ministry

(xx) The project proponent shall advertise in at least two local newspapers widely circulated in the region around the project, one of which shall be in the vernacular language of the locality concerned within seven days from the date of this clearance letter, informing that the project has been accorded environmental clearance and copies of clearance letter are available with the State Pollution Control Board/Committee and may also be seen at Website of the Ministry of Environment and Forests at http://envfor.nic.in.

(xxi) A separate environment management cell with qualified staff shall be set up for implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards.

(xxii) Half yearly report on the status of implementation of the stipulated conditions and environmental safeguards shall be submitted to this Ministry/ Regional Office/CPCB/SPCB.

(xxiii) Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment & Forests located at Bhubaneswar will monitor the implementation of the stipulated conditions. A complete set of documents including Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Environment Management Plan along with the additional information submitted from time to time shall be forwarded to the Regional Office for their use during monitoring.

(xxiv) Separate funds shall be allocated for implementation of environmental protection measures along with item-wise break-up. These cost shall be included as part of the project cost. The funds earmarked for the environment protection measures

70

shall not be diverted for other purposes and year-wise expenditure should be reported to the Ministry.

(xxv) The project authorities shall inform the Regional Office as well as the Ministry regarding the date of financial closure and final approval of the project by the concerned authorities and the dates of start of land development work and commissioning of plant.

(xxvi) Full cooperation shall be extended to the Scientists/Officers from the Ministry / Regional Office of the Ministry at Bhubaneswar /the CPCB/the SPCB who would be monitoring the compliance of environmental status.

4. The Ministry of Environment and Forests reserves the right to revoke the clearance if conditions stipulated are not implemented to the satisfaction of the Ministry. MOEF may impose additional environmental conditions or modify the existing ones, if necessary.

5. The environmental clearance accorded shall be valid for a period of 5 years to start of production operations by the power plant.

6. In case of any deviation or alteration in the project proposed from those submitted to this Ministry for clearance, a fresh reference should be made to the Ministry to assess the adequacy of the condition(s) imposed and to add additional environmental protection measures required, if any.

7. The above stipulations would be enforced among others under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and rules there under, Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 and its amendments, the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 and its amendments.

8. Any appeal against this environmental clearance shall lie with the National Environment Appellate Authority, if preferred, within 30 days as prescribed under Section 11 of the National Environment Appellate Act, 1997.

(Dr. S.K. AGGARWAL) Director

Copy to:- 1. The Secretary, Ministry of Power, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-

110001.

2. The Secretary, Environment and Forests Department, Govt. of Orissa, Bhubaneswar- 751 001.

3. The Chairman, Central Electricity Authority, Sewa Bhawan, R.K. Puram, New Delhi-110066.

71

4. The Chairman, Orissa State Pollution Control Board, A/118, Nilkantha Nagar, Unit-8, Bhubaneswar- 751012 - with request to display a copy of the clearance letter at the Regional Office, District Industries Centre and Collector?s office for 30 days.

5. The Chairman, Central Pollution Control Board, Parivesh Bhawan, CBD-cum-Office Complex, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi-110032.

6. The Chief Conservator of Forests, Eastern Regional Office, Ministry of Environment & Forests, 194, Kharvela Nagar, Bhubaneswar-751001.

7. Director (EI), MOEF.

8. Guard file.

9. Monitoring file.

(Dr. S.K. AGGARWAL)

Director

72

7.5 MW Expansion of Thermal Power Project at Balasore, Orissa by M/s Birla Tyres ? Environmental Clearance regarding .


Ministry of Environment & Forests Prayavaran Bhawan

CGO Complex,Lodi Road New Delhi-110 003

Dated: 23rd April, 2008

To M/s Birla Tyres Shivam Chambers 53, Syed Amir Ali Avenue Kolkata ? 700 019

Sub: 7.5 MW Expansion of Thermal Power Project at Balasore, Orissa by M/s Birla Tyres ? Environmental Clearance regarding .

The undersigned is directed to refer your communication no. BT:PKM:2007-2008/10694 dated 1ST February, 2008 on the subject mentioned above.

2. The proposal is for grant of environmental clearance for expansion by installation of 7.5 MW Co-generation Power Project at Chhanpur,Kuruda , District Balasore, Orissa within the existing premises of tyre plant of Birla Tyres. The total area of the tyre plant is 193.232 acres, out of which 75 acres is for greenbelt. The proposed plant will be located in an area of 5.25 acres, which includes 3.75 acres for ash pond. Coal will be obtained from Mahanadi Coalfield through e-auction. The additional water requirement will be 1483 m3/day for the plant, which will be met from groundwater. The public hearing for the project was held on 30.1.2008. No ecologically sensitive area i.e. National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries is reported within a radius of 10 km. Total cost of the project is Rs 35.35 crores. 3. The proposal has been considered and the Ministry of Environment & Forests hereby accords environmental clearance to the said project under the provisions of

73

Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 subject to implementation of the following terms and conditions:-

(i) The total land requirement for the project shall be restricted to 5.25 acres. (ii) Power plant site boundary shall be at least 500 m away from the National

Highway in conformity with the prescribed guidelines in this regard. (iii) Sulphur and ash contents in the coal to be used in the project shall not

exceed 0.5% and 44% respectively. (iv) The height of the stack shall be as per the standards prescribed under

Environment (Protection) Rules in this regard or 65 m whichever is more with continuous online monitoring equipments for SO2, NOx and Particulate. Exit velocity of flue gases shall not be less than 10 m/sec.

(v) High efficiency Electrostatic Precipitator (ESPs) shall be installed to ensure that particulate emission does not exceed 100 mg/Nm3.

(vi) Adequate dust extraction system such as cyclones/ bag filters and water spray system in dusty areas such as in coal handling and ash handling points, transfer areas and other vulnerable dusty areas shall be provided.

(vii) The ash pond area shall be restricted to 3.75 acres. Ash pond shall be lined with suitable impervious lining. Adequate safety measures shall also be implemented to protect the ash dyke from getting breached.

(viii) Dry fly ash collection system shall be provided. 100% fly ash utilization shall be ensured from the day one of the commissioning of the plant.

(ix) Water requirement of 1483 m3/day shall be met from ground water source. (x) Closed cycle cooling system with cooling towers shall be provided. COC

of at least 5 shall be adopted and the effluent treated as per the prescribed norms.

(xi) The treated effluents conforming to the prescribed standards shall be re-circulated and reused within the plant. There shall be no discharge outside the plant boundary except during monsoon for storm water. Arrangements shall be made that effluents and storm water do not get mixed.

(xii) A sewage treatment plant shall be provided and the treated sewage shall be used for raising greenbelt/plantation.

(xiii) Rainwater harvesting should be adopted. Central Groundwater Authority/ Board shall be consulted for finalization of appropriate rainwater harvesting technology within a period of three months from the date of clearance and details shall be furnished.

(xiv) Regular monitoring of ground water in and around the project area shall be carried out, records maintained and periodic reports shall be furnished to the Regional Office of this Ministry.

(xv) Leq of Noise levels emanating from turbines shall be limited to 75 dBA. For people working in the high noise area, requisite personal protective equipment like earplugs/ear muffs etc. shall be provided. Workers engaged in noisy areas such as turbines, air compressors etc shall be periodically examined to maintain audiometric record and for treatment for any hearing loss including shifting to non noisy/less noisy areas.

74

(ix) Adequate safety measures shall be provided in the plant area to check/minimize spontaneous fires in coal yard, especially during summer season. Details of these measures along with location plant layout shall be submitted to the Ministry as well as to the Regional Office of the Ministry at Bhubaneswar.

(xvi) A green belt of adequate width and density shall be developed around the plant periphery preferably with local species.

(xvii) First aid and sanitation arrangements shall be made for the drivers and other contract workers during construction phase.

(xviii) Regular monitoring of ground level concentration of SO2, NOx, SPM and RSPM shall be carried out in the impact zone and records maintained. If at any stage these levels are found to exceed the prescribed limits, necessary control measures shall be provided immediately. The location of the monitoring stations and frequency of monitoring shall be decided in consultation with SPCB. Periodic reports shall be submitted to the Regional Office of this Ministry at Bhubaneswar.

(xix) The project proponent shall advertise in at least two local newspapers widely circulated in the region around the project, one of which shall be in the vernacular language of the locality concerned within seven days from the date of this clearance letter, informing that the project has been accorded environmental clearance and copies of clearance letter are available with the State Pollution Control Board/Committee and may also be seen at Website of the Ministry of Environment and Forests at http://envfor.nic.in.

(xx) A separate environment management cell with qualified staff shall be set up for implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards.

(xxi) Half yearly report on the status of implementation of the stipulated conditions and environmental safeguards shall be submitted to this Ministry/ Regional Office/CPCB/SPCB.

(xxii) Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment & Forests located at Bhubaneswar will monitor the implementation of the stipulated conditions. A complete set of documents including Environmental Impact Assessment Report and Environment Management Plan along with the additional information submitted from time to time shall be forwarded to the Regional Office for their use during monitoring.

(xxii) Separate funds shall be allocated for implementation of environmental protection measures along with item-wise break-up. These cost shall be included as part of the project cost. The funds earmarked for the environment protection measures shall not be diverted for other purposes and year-wise expenditure should be reported to the Ministry.

(xxiii) The project authorities shall inform the Regional Office as well as the Ministry regarding the date of financial closure and final approval of the project by the concerned authorities and the dates of start of land development work and commissioning of plant.

75

(xxiii) Full cooperation shall be extended to the Scientists/Officers from the Ministry / Regional Office of the Ministry at Bhubaneswar /the CPCB/the SPCB who would be monitoring the compliance of environmental status.

4. The Ministry of Environment and Forests reserves the right to revoke the clearance if conditions stipulated are not implemented to the satisfaction of the Ministry. MOEF may impose additional environmental conditions or modify the existing ones, if necessary.

5. The environmental clearance accorded shall be valid for a period of 5 years to start of production operations by the power plant. 6. In case of any deviation or alteration in the project proposed from those submitted to this Ministry for clearance, a fresh reference should be made to the Ministry to assess the adequacy of the condition(s) imposed and to add additional environmental protection measures required, if any. 7. The above stipulations would be enforced among others under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and rules there under, Hazardous Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules, 1989 and its amendments, the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 and its amendments.

8. Any appeal against this environmental clearance shall lie with the National Environment Appellate Authority, if preferred, within 30 days as prescribed under Section 11 of the National Environment Appellate Act, 1997.

(Dr. S.K. Aggarwal) DIRECTOR Copy to:-

1. The Secretary, Ministry of Power, Shram Shakti Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi-

110001.



76

4. The Chairman, Orissa State Pollution Control Board, A/118, Nilkantha Nagar, Unit-8, Bhubaeswar- 751012 - with request to display a copy of the clearance letter at the Regional Office, District Industries Centre and Collector?s office for 30 days.




8. Guard file.

9. Monitoring file.

(Dr. S.K. Aggarwal)

DIRECTOR

77

1050 MW Phase-I of 2250 MW Malaxmi Mega Thermal Power Project at Meeramundali & Kharagprasad Dhenkanal, Orissa by M/s Navabharat Power Pvt. Ltd. ? Environmental Clearance Regarding.




New Delhi-110 003.

Dated: 8th February, 2008 To

M/s Navbharat Power Pvt. Ltd. ?Mahalaxmi House? 8-2-583/3, Road # 9, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad- 500 034.

Sub: 1050 MW Phase-I of 2250 MW Malaxmi Mega Thermal Power

Project at Meeramundali & Kharagprasad Dhenkanal, Orissa by M/s Navabharat Power Pvt. Ltd. ? Environmental Clearance Regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to your communication no. NPPL:MOEF:740:2007 dated 5th November, 2007 regarding the subject mentioned above. Subsequent information furnished vide letter dated 29th December, 2007 have also been considered. 2. The proposal is for grant of environmental clearance under EIA Notification, 2006 for setting up of a 2250 MW Malaxmi Mega Thermal Power Plant at village Meramundali and Kharagprasad in Orissa to be implemented in two phases of 3x350 MW and 2x600 MW respectively. The Committee has considered the proposal initially for phase-I i.e. 1050 MW only in accordance with water and coal availability firmed up. The total land requirement is estimated as 1040 acres which includes 250 acres for ash pond, 70 acres for colony, 40 acres for railway siding and 280 acres for green belt. Indian coal will be used as fuel. Coal linkage from Mahanadi Coalfield for 2.404 million

78

TPA for Phase-I has been obtained. Water requirement will be met from Brahamani river and 42 cusecs of water has been sanctioned. It was reported that no national park, sanctuary or elephant / tiger reserve I within 10 km radius; however, 5 reserve forest are within 8.5 km radius. The public hearing was conducted on 13.09.2007. Capital cost of the project is Rs 4440.80 crores, which includes Rs 403.50 crores for environmental protection measures. 3. The proposal has been considered and Ministry of Environment & Forests hereby accords environmental clearance to 1050 MW (3x350 MW) Thermal Power Project as phase-I under the provisions of Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 subject to implementation of the following terms and conditions:-

(i) The total land requirement shall not exceed 1040 acres for all the activities/

facilities of the power project for phase-I. (ii) It shall be ensured that all the facilities/utilities of the proposed power project

including ash pond and colony shall be at least 500 m away from national highway, railway and flood plains of the riverine system.

(iii) Ash and sulphur content in the coal to be used in the project shall not exceed 42%

and 0.39% respectively. (iv) A multi-flue stack of 275 m height with exit velocity of not less than 25 m/s

shall be provided with continuous online monitoring system. (v) High efficiency Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) with efficiency shall be

installed so as to ensure that particulate emissions do not exceed 100 mg/Nm3. (vi) Space provision shall be made now itself for Flue Gas De-sulphurisation (FGD)

unit of requisite efficiency of removal of SO2, if required at a later stage. (vii) Water requirement shall not exceed 37 cusecs. No ground water shall be extracted

for the project at any stage including construction phase. (viii) Closed circuit cooling system with cooling towers shall be provided. COC of at

least 5 shall be adopted. (ix) For controlling fugitive dust, regular sprinkling of water in the coal handling area

and other vulnerable areas of the plant shall be ensured. (x) The project authorities should adhere to the provisions stipulated in the fly ash

notification of September, 1999 and as amended in August, 2003 in regard to fly ash utilization. Unutilized fly ash shall be disposed off in the ash pond through HCSD system and balance bottom ash through medium slurry mode.

79

(xi) The ash pond shall be lined with impervious lining to avoid any leaching into groundwater. The ash dyke shall be so designed and strengthened to ensure guard against breaching. Adequate safety measures shall also be taken so that pond ash does not become air borne to cause air pollution in the surrounding areas.

(xii) Rain water harvesting should be adopted. Central Groundwater Authority / Board

shall be consulted for finalization of appropriate rain water harvesting technology within a period of three months from the date of clearance.

(xiii) Waste water generated shall be recycled and reused in the plant premises and

there shall be zero discharge outside the plant boundary except during monsoon. (xiv) Regular monitoring of ground water quality including heavy metals shall be

undertaken around ash dyke and the project area to ascertain the change, if any, in the water quality due to leaching of contaminants from ash disposal area.

(xv) A greenbelt shall be developed all along the plant and ash pond boundary

covering a total area of at least 280 acres. (xvi) First aid and sanitation arrangements shall be made for the drivers and other

contract workers during construction phase. (xvii) Leq of Noise level should be limited to 75 dBA and regular maintenance of

equipment be undertaken. For people working in the high noise areas, personal protection devices should be provided.

(xviii) Regular monitoring of the ambient air quality shall be carried out in and around

the power plant and records maintained. The location of the monitoring stations and frequency of monitoring shall be decided in consultation with SPCB. Quarterly reports shall be submitted to the Regional Office of this Ministry.

(xix) The project proponent should advertise in at least two local newspapers widely

circulated in the region around the project, one of which should be in the vernacular language of the locality concerned within seven days of issue of this letter, informing that the project has been accorded environmental clearance and copies of clearance letters are available with the State Pollution Control Board/Committee and may also be seen in the Website of the Ministry of Environment and Forests in the http://envfor.nic.in.

(xx) A separate environment monitoring cell with suitable qualified staff should be set

up for implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards. (xxi) Half yearly report on the status of implementation of the conditions and

environmental safeguards should be submitted to this Ministry, the Regional Office, CPCB and SPCB.

80

(xxii) Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment & Forests located at Bhubaneswar will monitor the implementation of the stipulated conditions. A complete set of documents including Environmental Impact Assessment Report, Environment Management Plan and the additional information / clarifications submitted subsequently should be forwarded to the Regional Office for their use during monitoring.

(xxiii) Separate funds should be allocated for implementation of environmental

protection measures along with item-wise break-up. These cost should be included as part of the project cost. The funds earmarked for the environment protection measures should not be diverted for other purposes and year-wise expenditure should be reported to the Ministry.

(xxiv) Full cooperation should be extended to the Scientists/Officers from the Ministry

and its Regional Office at Bhubaneswar/ the CPCB / the SPCB during monitoring of the project.

4. The Ministry reserves the right to revoke the clearance if conditions stipulated are not implemented to the satisfaction of the Ministry.


6. In case of any deviation or alteration in the project proposed from those

submitted to this Ministry for clearance, a fresh reference should be made to the Ministry to assess the adequacy of the condition(s) imposed and to incorporate additional environmental protection measures required, if any.


(Dr. S.K. AGGARWAL) Director Copy to:-


110001.


81


4. The Chairman, Orissa State Pollution Control Board, A/118, Nilkantha Nagar, Unit-8, Bhubaneswar-751012 - with request to display a copy of the clearance letter at the Regional Office, District Industries Centre and Collector?s office for 30 days.




8. Guard file.

9. Monitoring file.

(Dr. S.K. AGGARWAL) Director

82

1050 MW Thermal Power Project at Kamalanga, District Dhenkanal, Orissa by M/s GMR Energy Limited ? Environmental Clearance Regarding.




New Delhi-110 003.

Dated: 5th February, 2008 To

M/s GMR Energy Ltd Skip Road, 25/1, Museum Road Bangalore- 560 025

Sub: 1050 MW Thermal Power Project at Kamalanga, District Dhenkanal, Orissa by M/s GMR Energy Limited ? Environmental Clearance Regarding.

The undersigned is directed to refer to your communication no. GEL/Kamalanga/TOR/MOEF/074/07 dated 15.10.2007 regarding the subject mentioned above. Subsequent information furnished vide letter No.GEL/KTPP/BLR/MoEF/082/07 dated 29th November, 2007 have also been considered. 2. The proposal is for grant of environmental clearance under EIA Notification, 2006 for setting up of a 1050 MW (3x350 MW) thermal power project at Kamalanga, District Dhenkanal, Orissa. The land requirement for the project is 1050 acres, which includes 45 acres for colony and 474 acres for ash pond. Greenbelt will be raised in an area of 320 acres. An area of 65 acres for goucher land has been provided as alternate to the Goucher land acquired for this project. The coordinates of proposed project site are latitudes 200 51? 23.652? to 200 52? 37.092? and longitudes 850 15? 22.1256? to 850 16? 11.7942?. Water requirement is 37 cusecs, which will be obtained from Brahamani river. Coal requirement is 15,840 TPD, which will be obtained from Mahanadi Coalfields from

83

Talcher. No National Park or Wildlife Sanctuary is reported within 10 km of radius of the proposed power project. It is estimated that 3 houses would need to be relocated and there will be 812 land oustees due to the project. Total cost of the project is Rs 4100.00 crores, which includes Rs 150.00 crores for environmental protection measures. 3. The proposal has been considered and Ministry of Environment & Forests hereby accords environmental clearance to the said project under the provisions of Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2006 subject to implementation of the following terms and conditions:-

(i) The total land requirement shall not exceed 1050 acres for all the activities/ facilities of the power project. (ii) It shall be ensured that the project boundary is at least 500 m away from HFL of the river in conformity with the guidelines in this regard. (iii) The plant heat rate of around 2300 kcal/kwh shall be achieved and the coal consumption shall not exceed 660 TPH. (iv) Ash and sulphur contents in the coal to be used in the project shall not exceed 34% and 0.5% respectively. (v) A multi-flue stack of 275 m height with exit velocity of not less than 21 m/s shall be provided with continuous online monitoring system. (vi) High efficiency Electrostatic Precipitators (ESPs) with efficiency not less than 99.9% shall be installed so as to ensure that particulate emissions do not exceed 50 mg/Nm3. (vii) Appropriate mitigation measures shall be adopted to reduce the emissions of

SO2. It shall be ensured that at no point of time the ground level concentration of SO2 in the impact zone exceeds the prescribed limit. The proponent shall now itself also provide space for installation of FGD or other suitable measures, if required at a later stage.

(viii) Water requirement shall not exceed 37 cusecs. No ground water shall be extracted

for the project at any stage including during construction. (ix) COC of not less than 5 shall be adopted. (x) Closed circuit cooling system with induced draft cooling towers shall be provided. (xi) Waste water generated shall be recycled and reused in the plant premises. There

shall be no discharge of waste water out side the plant boundary except during monsoon.

84

(xii) For controlling fugitive dust, regular sprinkling of water in the coal handling area and other vulnerable areas of the plant shall be ensured.

(xiii) The project authorities should adhere to the provisions stipulated in the fly ash notification of September, 1999 and as amended in August, 2003 in regard to fly ash utilization. Fly ash shall be collected in dry form. Balance fly ash shall be disposed off in the ash pond through HCSD mode and bottom ash through medium slurry mode.

(xiv) The ash pond shall be lined with impervious lining to avoid any leaching into groundwater. The ash dyke shall be so designed and strengthened to ensure guard against breaching. Adequate safety measures shall also be taken so that pond ash does not become air borne to cause air pollution in the surrounding areas.

(xv) R&R plan for land oustees and homestead oustees shall be prepared in

consultation with the State Revenue Authorities and implemented effectively. The R&R plan shall be prepared before starting work on the project and implemented simultaneously with the start of development/ construction work on the project. A copy of the R&R plan shall also be submitted to this Ministry within three months of the issue of this letter.

(xiv) The District Collector / Revenue Divisional Commissioner shall be informed

regarding R&R and all other benefits to be provided by the project proponent and their effective implementation shall be overseen by the District Authorities.

(xiv) Rain water harvesting should be adopted. Central Groundwater Authority /

Board shall be consulted for finalization of appropriate rain water harvesting technology within a period of three months from the date of clearance.

(xviii) Regular monitoring of ground water quality including heavy metals shall be

undertaken around ash dyke and the project area to ascertain the change, if any, in the water quality due to leaching of contaminants from ash disposal area.

(xix) A greenbelt shall be developed all along the plant and ash pond boundary

covering a total area of at least 320 acres. (xx) An alternate Goucher land shall be developed in the identified 65 acres of land

for use of the villagers for grazing of their cattles. The District Authorities and the villagers shall be informed of the same for its effective utilization.

(xxi) First aid and sanitation arrangements shall be made for the drivers and other

contract workers during construction phase.

(xxii) Leq of Noise level should be limited to 75 dBA and regular maintenance of equipment be undertaken. For people working in the high noise areas, personal protection devices should be provided.

85

(xxiii) Regular monitoring of the ambient air quality shall be carried out in the impact

zone and records maintained. The location of the monitoring stations and frequency of monitoring shall be decided in consultation with SPCB. Quarterly reports shall be submitted to the Regional Office of this Ministry.

(xxiv) The project proponent should advertise in at least two local newspapers widely

circulated in the region around the project, one of which should be in the vernacular language of the locality concerned within seven days of issue of this letter, informing that the project has been accorded environmental clearance and copies of clearance letters are available with the State Pollution Control Board/Committee and may also be seen in the Website of the Ministry of Environment and Forests in the http://envfor.nic.in.

(xxv) A separate environment monitoring cell with suitable qualified staff should be set

up for implementation of the stipulated environmental safeguards. (xxvi) Half yearly report on the status of implementation of the conditions and

environmental safeguards should be submitted to this Ministry, the Regional Office, CPCB and SPCB.

(xxvii) Regional Office of the Ministry of Environment & Forests located at

Bhubaneswar will monitor the implementation of the stipulated conditions. A complete set of documents including Environmental Impact Assessment Report, Environment Management Plan and the additional information / clarifications submitted subsequently should be forwarded to the Regional Office for their use during monitoring.

(xxviii)Separate funds should be allocated for implementation of environmental

protection measures along with item-wise break-up. These cost should be included as part of the project cost. The funds earmarked for the environment protection measures should not be diverted for other purposes and year-wise expenditure should be reported to the Ministry.

(xxix) Full cooperation should be extended to the Scientists/Officers from the Ministry

and its Regional Office at Bhubaneswar/ the CPCB / the SPCB during monitoring of the project.

4. The Ministry reserves the right to revoke the clearance if conditions stipulated are

not implemented to the satisfaction of the Ministry.


6. In case of any deviation or alteration in the project proposed from those

86

submitted to this Ministry for clearance, a fresh reference should be made to the Ministry to assess the adequacy of the condition(s) imposed and to incorporate additional environmental protection measures required, if any.


(DR. S.K. AGGARWAL)

DIRECTOR

Copy to:-


110001.



4. The Chairman, Orissa State Pollution Control Board, A/118, Nilkantha Nagar, Unit-8, Bhubaneswar- 751012 - with request to display a copy of the clearance letter at the Regional Office, District Industries Centre and Collector?s office for 30 days.




8. Guard file.

9. Monitoring file.

(Dr. S.K. AGGARWAL)

Director

87

PENDING MINING PROJECTS

PROJECT DETAILS RECEIVED ON STATUS

Project No:J-11015/251/2007-IA.II(M) Project Name: Khuntapani Iron Ore Mining Project District:Keonjhar Village:Khuntapani Company:M/s Late S.N. Mohanty

11/06/2008 The Proposal is likely to be considered in the

forthcoming meeting of the EAC (Mining) Schedueld on 18th -20st August, 2008.

PENDING INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS No record found.

PENDING THERMAL PROJECTS

PROJECT DETAILS RECEIVED ON STATUS

Project No: No:J- 13011/19/ 2008-IA II(T) Project Name: 2x60 MW Coal based TPP at Choudhar District:Cuttack Village:no Company:M/s Utkal Power Ltd.

05/02/2008 09/05/2008

Project No: No:J- 13011/7/ 2008-IA II(T) Project Name: 7.5 MW Exp. Of TPP at Balasore District:Balasore Village:no

04/02/2008 23/04/2008

PPEENNDDIINNGG PPRROOJJEECCTTSS WWIITTHH MMOOEEFF FFOORR EENNVVIIRROONNMMEENNTTAALL CCLLEEAARRAANNCCEE

88

Company:M/s Birla Tyres

Project No: No:J- 13011/ 66 / 2007-IA II(T) Project Name: 1050 MW Phase-I of 2250 MW Mahalaxmi TPP at Dhenkanal District:Dhenkanal Village:no Company:M/s Navbharat Ventures Ltd.

06/11/2007 08/02/2008

Project No: No:J- 13011/ 64 / 2007-IA II(T) Project Name: 3x350 MW kamalanga TPP at Dhenkanal District:Dhenkanal Village:null Company:M/s GMR Energy Ltd.

22/10/2007 05/02/2008

89

CLEARED MINING PROJECTS IN_FINAL STAGE

PROJECT DETAILS RECEIVED ON APPROVED

FileNumber: 8-ORA092/2007-FCD Area: 0.0 ha Description:APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY WORKING PERMISSION (TWP) SUBMITTED BY M/S ORISSA MANGANESE AND MINERALS PRIVATE LIMITED FOR PATMUNDA MANGANESE ORE MINES

19/12/2007 04/08/2008

FileNumber: 8-ORC058/2008-FCD Area: 15.045 ha Description:APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY WORKING PERMISSION (TWP) BY DR. SAROJINI PRADHAN IN BROKEN UP FOREST AREA IN BAITARANI R.F. IN THEIR BAITARANI IRON ORE MINING LEASE

13/06/2008 25/07/2008

FileNumber: 8-ORA135/2006-FCD Area: 0.0 ha Description:GRANT OF TEMPORARY WORKING PERMISSION (TWP) BY M/S ORISSA MINING CORPORATION (OMC) LTD. OVER ALREADY BROKEN UP AREA IN DUBNA-SAKRADIHI MINES

08/11/2006 16/07/2008

FileNumber: 8-ORA045/2007-FCD Area: 0.0 ha Description:DIVERSION OF FOREST LAND FOR KJST MINES OF LATE S.N. MOHANTY BY HIS LEGAL HEIR SRI PRABODH MOHANTY

08/06/2007 12/06/2008

FileNumber: 8(21)42/2004-FCE Area: 3.921 ha Description:IRON ORE MINING BY SH. J. N. PATNAIK IN VILLAGE BHANJAPALLI AND KOIRA

24/12/2004 05/06/2008

FOREST CLEARANCE

90

CLEARED MINING PROJECTS IN_PRINCIPAL STAGE


FileNumber: 8-ORA040/2008-FCD Area: 58.92 ha Description:COAL MINING IN VILLAGE GIRISUA JAMKHANI, MENDRA AND JHARPALAM UNDER HEMGIRI TAHASIL IN FAVOUR OF M/S BHUSAN POWER AND STEEL LIMITED

16/05/2008 09/07/2008

FileNumber: 8-ORA023/2007-FCD Area: 45.585 ha Description:IRON ORE MINING BY PENGUIN TRADING & AGENCIES IN VILLAGES RAIKELA & TANTRA IN BONAI TEHASIL (IRON ORE MINING)

30/04/2007 22/05/2008

APPROVED THERMAL PROJECTS No record found

91

PENDING MINING PROJECTS


FileNumber:8-ORA096/2007-FCD Area: 51.476 ha Description:APPLICATION FOR TEMPORARY WORKING PERMISSION (TWP) SUBMITTED BY M/S ORISSA MANGANESE AND MINERALS PRIVATE LIMITED FOR ORAHURI MANGANESE ORE MINES

15/11/2007 UNDER PROCESS. COMMENTS / VIEWS RECEIVED FROM STATE GOVERNMENT ON 09.06.2008.

FileNumber:8-ORC085/2007-FCD Area: 25.859 ha Description:TWP BY M/S D.R. PATTNAIK IN MURGABEDA MINING LEASE IN KEONJHAR FOREST DIVISION (IRON ORE)

10/10/2007 Under Process

FileNumber:8-ORA063/2007-FCD Area: 1253.225 ha Description:DIVERSION OF FOREST LAND FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF INTEGRATED STEEL PLANT AND CAPTIVE PORT BY POSCO - INDIA PRIVATE LIMITED (STEEL MINING)

23/07/2007

Placed before FAC meeting on 09.08.2007. ( THIS PROPOSAL INCLUDES RF - 68.980, PF -

1134.557 AND REVENUE FOREST - 49.668)

FileNumber:8-ORC057/2007-FCD Area: 10.361 ha Description:TEMPORARY WORKING PERMISSION IN FAVOUR OF M/S M.G. MOHANTY FOR PATABEDA IRON AND MANGANESE MINES IN BONAI FOREST DIVISION

09/07/2007

APPROVAL FOR TWP IS GRANTED OVER 10.361 HA OUT OF 19.425 HA ALREADY BROKEN UP AREA

VIDE LETTER DATED 12.06.2008.

FileNumber:8-ORA037/2007-FCD Area: 64.148 ha Description:DIVERSION OF FOREST LAND FOR IRON ORE MINING IN FAVOUR OF M/S GEETARANI MOHANTY IN VILLAGE RAIKELA OF BONAI TAHASIL

21/05/2007 Placed before FAC meeting on

29.04.2008.

FileNumber:8-ORA024/2007-FCD Area: 305.282 ha Description:SILJORA, GURUDA, BALDA, KALIMATI (S.G.B.K.) IRON AND MANGANESE ORE MINES IN FAVOUR OF M/S. ORISSA MINING CORPORATION (OMC) LIMITED.


09.08.2007.

FileNumber:8-ORA013/2007-FCD Area: 269.1698 ha Description:MALANGTOLI IRON MINES IN FAVOUR OF M/S ORISSA SPONGE IRON LIMITED (OSIL)


17.10.2007.

FileNumber:8-ORA133/2006-FCD 08/11/2006 Placed before FAC meeting on

PPEENNDDIINNGG PPRROOJJEECCTTSS WWIITTHH MMOOEEFF FFOORR FFOORREESSTT CCLLEEAARRAANNCCEE

92

Area: 45.992 ha Description:GRANT OF TEMPORARY WORKING PERMISSION (TWP) BY M/S ORISSA MINING CORPORATION (OMC) LTD. OVER ALREADY BROKEN UP AREA IN BANSAPANI MINES

09.08.2007.

FileNumber:8-ORA134/2006-FCD Area: 129.095 ha Description:GRANT OF TEMPORARY WORKING PERMISSION (TWP) BY M/S ORISSA MINING CORPORATION (OMC) LTD. OVER ALREADY BROKEN UP AREA IN KHANDABANDH MINES


17.05.2007.

FileNumber:8-ORA104/2006-FCD Area: 211.348 ha Description:TEMPORARY WORKING PERMISSION IN SERENDA-BHADRASAHI MINES IN KEONJHAR FOREST DIVISION IN FAVOUR OF M/S ORISSA MINING CORPORATION (OMC) LIMITED


17.05.2007.

FileNumber:8-ORA105/2006-FCD Area: 216.3617 ha Description:DIVERSION OF GANDHAMARDAN BLOCK 'A' MINES IN KEONJHAR FOREST DIVISION IN FAVOUR OF M/S ORISSA MINING CORPORATION LIMITED

21/08/2006

Placed before FAC meeting on 20.02.2008. PROPOSAL RE-

SUBMITTED FOR DIVERSION OF 216.3617 HA FOREST LAND

INCLUDING 64.7242 HA BROKEN UP AREA.

FileNumber:8-ORA023/2005-FCD Area: 660.749 ha Description:LANJIGARH BAUXITE MINING PROJECT IN NIYAMGIRI RF AND NIMAGIRI PROPOSED RF OF RAYAGADA DISTRICT IN FAVOUR OF ORISSA MINING CORPORATION (OMC)

28/02/2005

Placed before FAC meeting on 27.10.2006. As per Hon'ble SC's

order, the recommendation of FAC is to be placed before the New

FAC.

FileNumber:8-31/2003-FC Area: 56.98 ha Description:MINING LEASE OF CAT'S EYE MINERAL IN FAVOURING NAVYUG MINERALS LIMITED

14/02/2003 PLACED BEFORE FAC MEETING ON

27.03.2008.

Documents

Mining Update, July - Vasundhara