Show cause notice to Vedanta

“Based on the instruction of Union Ministry of Forest and Environment (MoEF), and State Forest Department regarding industrial activities of Vedanta in Komunda and Brindamal mouzas, we have sent a notice to the company,” Jharsuguda district Collector Bishnu Prasada Sahu said.

“It has come to MoEF’s notice that the company is involved in industrial activities in the aforesaid areas without necessary environmental clearance from the Environment Ministry,” added Sahu.

VAL, a unit of Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Resources PLC, in 2011 had declared to invest about Rs 10,000 crore to complete its aluminium smelter and independent power plants at Jharsuguda that involves the increase of smelting capacity to 1.75-million tons from 0.5-million tons by 2013-14.

According to published reports, the company then too had plans to invest Rs 15,000-Rs 20,000 crore for setting up an Aluminium Park in the district.