EAC’s not last word on POSCO: Jairam Ramesh

The favourable stand taken by the expert appraisal committee (EAC) on the POSCO steel plant in Orissa does not ensure an automatic green signal to the project, environment minister Jairam Ramesh has said.

DNA had reported on Wednesday that the committee had given the go-ahead to the Rs51,000-crore project, but imposed tough conditions on the promoters.

EAC’s positive recommendations are seen as a precursor to the ministry’s clearance for a project. Set up under the environment impact assessment notification of 2006, the committee assesses a range of issues related to a proposed project and recommends whether or not to grant approval to it. The ministry generally goes by its recommendation.

Ramesh clarified that a final decision on POSCO would be taken only after two weeks. The response has again put the fate of India’s biggest foreign direct investment project in doubt.

At a meeting two weeks ago, the experts committee had more or less discarded the findings of a special four-member on-the-ground study team. The team comprising tribal and environmental experts had, by majority, found POSCO and the Orissa government guilty of “making a mockery” of environmental regulations.

EAC overruled all objections of the on-site team. It also supported the Orissa government’s claim on public hearings and rehabilitation of the project-affected.