FM asks attorney general to be part of GoM on go-no-go

Sources tell CNBC-TV18 that finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has asked attorney general GE Vahanvati to be part of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on the go-no-go policy, in light of the Bellary mining ban placed by the Supreme Court.

The GoM headed by the finance minister is scheduled to meet tomorrow. The attorney general will make a detailed presentation on environmental issues related to mining and present a list of consequences if the Forest Rights Act (FRA) is diluted.

Also Read: Centre to plead to SC against blanket ban on Bellary mining

The GoM will also discuss recommendations of the BK Chaturvedi committee on removing environment hurdles for the coal sector as well as recommendations to dilute FRA in the mining sector. Chaturvedi who is also expected to be at the high level meeting, has said the panel would like to allow 25% expansion of coal mines without a public hearing so that the no objection certificate (NOC) for mining is cleared faster.

The apex court stopped all mining related activity in Bellary, Karnataka, on environmental grounds after questions arose over forest and other environmental clearances where huge environmental degradation took place.
In 2009, the environment ministry had placed the country's forested areas under two categories