CBI action against Hindalco, FIR registered in environmental clearance case.

The CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) has registered a case against Hindalco Industries and Dr D Chandni (then Director, Ministry of Environment and Forests). The CBI has taken the action based on a preliminary investigation launched in 2016 against Aditya Birla Management Corporation Limited (P) and unknown officials of the Environment Ministry. During 2011-13, APMCPL management allegedly bribed unknown officials of the Environment Ministry to grant environmental clearance to its projects. During this period, according to the notification issued in September 2006, environmental clearance was being granted by the central government, according to the CBI FIR. According to this notification, environmental clearance is required for all new projects. Projects requiring prior environmental clearance from the Central Government were evaluated by an Expert Appraisal Committee consisting of specialists and experts from various fields. The CBI FIR states that during the relevant period, the then Director was fully aware of the restrictions imposed by the Environment Ministry on highly polluted areas. However, an undue concession was given to Hindalco, which was already producing excess coal in violation of the environmental clearance granted by the Ministry of Environment. Dr. Chandini supported Hindalco Industries. Investigation revealed that the permits issued in 2001 and 2009 had been violated. Violated approvals granted in 2001 and 2009. The company took in 3.04 MTPA of additional coal between 2004-05 and 2007-08 and 2008-09. During the investigation, it came to light that the Odisha State Pollution Control Board and the Central Pollution Control Board confirmed that the Talapira mine was located in the highly polluted area of ​​Jharkhand.