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Forest Conservation Act holding up 377 road projects: CM Vidhan Sabha Budget Session
Construction of 377 roads in the state has been held up due in the wake of the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, chief minister Virbhadra Singh said while replying to a question posed by Jwalamukhi legislator Sanjay Rattan and Dalhousie legislator Asha Kumari in the house on Thursday.
Construction of 377 roads in the state has been held up due in the wake of the provisions of the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, chief minister Virbhadra Singh said while replying to a question posed by Jwalamukhi legislator Sanjay Rattan and Dalhousie legislator Asha Kumari in the house on Thursday.
He informed the house that the public works department (PWD) was monitoring the cases under the Act, and the government had deputed additional principal chief conservator of forest (APCCF) in PWD to coordinate with the union forest ministry to obtain clearances under FCA.
The CM added that monthly monitoring of pending cases had been done on the forest principal secretary level.
The state government had made separate provision of funds to clear the net present value (NPV) and compensatory afforestation.
Posing a supplementary question, Asha Kumari asked whether the government would depute more conservator-level officials seeking time-bound forest clearances.
The CM replied that the government had deputed the official as per the requirement, adding that violation cases had been filed for 2,183 roads, and the government would meet all requirements so that road projects could be completed in time.
He also replied that the union government had accorded approval for upgrading and maintenance work of those completed road projects which were violating the Act.
