'Odisha's pollution from coal needs attention'

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar: Odisha is bearing the brunt of pollution on account of thermal power generation which is also being supplied to other States. These concerns were raised by BJD member of Parliament from Kendrapara Baijayant Panda during a discussion in LokSabha.

Panda highlighted the fact that ash produced from burning of coal to produce electricity is posing a serious threat to the environment of the State. Odisha should be given due attention and necessary steps should be taken for environment protection, he said.

Panda urged that Odisha should be included in the second of the two World Bank-sponsored programmes where States are only allowed to bear 15% of the cost. Moreover, terming Rs 805 crore earmarked for the Clean Energy fund as inadequate, he demanded the allocation to be enhanced.

Replying on behalf of the Environment minister, Union minister KirrenRijju said work has begun in two out of the three projects in Odisha meant for the purpose and the other one will commence soon.