Vedanta's aluminium project in Orissa gets green nod

　The ministry of environment and forests has cleared Vedanta Aluminium’s project in Lanjigarh, Orissa.

　　The expansion of Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Aluminium's four million tonne Lanjigarh refinery plant in Kalahandi had been put on hold by the Union Environment Ministry  on October 21, 2010.

　　In July this year, the Cuttack Bench of the Orissa High Court had also  affirmed the decison of the ministry. The project was stuck due to environment-related concerns and rehabilitation of tribals, which would have been affected by expansion of the aluminium facility.

　　Environment ministry’s expert appraisal committee (EAC) has cleared the project with 70 conditions, sources told NDTV. Major conditions among them are:  Five per cent of the total project cost would be spent on social welfare projects.The company will maintain air, water quality & develop 164 hectare of plant area as green belt.

　　Others conditions say that the company will also submit rehabilitation and resettlement policy covering tribals, which should be in line with government policies. The company will also be required to submit corporate environment policy approved by its board.