Environment Ministry puts on hold Vedanta University in Orissa

The Union Environment Ministry today put on hold the controversial Rs.150 billion Vedanta University project in Orissa following complaints of alleged irregularities by its promoter Anil Agarwal Foundation.

The Union Environment Ministry on Tuesday put on hold the controversial Rs.150 billion Vedanta University project in Orissa following complaints of alleged irregularities by its promoter Anil Agarwal Foundation.

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The direction to keep the project in abeyance has come within a month of the Ministry granting conditional environmental clearance to the Foundation which is building the university.

While doing so, the Ministry imposed 50 conditions, including inviting of public objections to the project.

In the April 16 clearance, the Ministry had banned the Foundation from withdrawing ground water, restrict local fishermen from fishing and construction in the Coastal Regulation Zone area.

In its order issued today, the Ministry said it has "received information alleging interalia irregularities, illegal, unethical and unlawful deeds by Anil Agarwal Foundation....

"Also, serious objections raised during Orissa Coastal Zone Management Authority meeting had not been appropriately considered in granting the aforesaid CRZ and the environment clearance."