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India: Cabinet decides to set up GoM on ‘no-go’ mining areas

By NNN-PTI,

New Delhi : Amid a tussle between ministries of coal and environment over mining issues, the Cabinet has decided to constitute a group of ministers (GoM) to look into the issue of ‘no-go’ mining areas.

The decision of the Union Cabinet is aimed at finding a pragmatic and balanced approach towards the issue of environmental clearances to mining areas, while ensuring ecology is not hurt, sources said.

Talking to PTI separately, Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said: “the Cabinet Committee of Infrastructure (CCI) today referred the matter to a Group of Ministers for discussions on the issue”.

He, however, added that “members of the panel will be decided by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon and we are waiting for the further guidelines”.

The Coal Ministry has been pressing for lifting the ban but the Environment Ministry has refused to relent.