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Journalism of Courage
The Vedanta University project,proposed to be built on the Puri-Konark marine drive,has been granted conditional environmental and Coastal Regulatory Zone clearance by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The university being built by the Anil Agarwal Foundation is in the eye of storm as Orissa Lok Pal Justice P K Patra has recommended the appointment of a competent authority to thoroughly probe the land deal for the proposed institution.
The university proposed to be built over an area of 6,892 acres has been envisaged as one-of-its-kind institute for higher education where over a lakh students would study and do research in 95 academic disciplines.
In his report,the Lok Pal accused four senior government officials of acting hastily in handing over the land to the Foundation. The Lok Pal noted that the Foundation was not a public company under the Companies Act and therefore the state governments acquisition of land for the university was illegal.
In its letter to the Foundation dated April 16,the Ministry cleared the project while setting about 50 conditions. As per the condition,the Foundation has to get necessary permission and no-objection certificate from the Ministry as the project is situated less than 200 metres of Balukhanda reserve forest and wildlife sanctuary. Besides,the Foundation cannot draw ground water,restrict local fishermen from fishing and construct in CRZ area. The MoEF letter also makes it clear that the clearance order can be challenged before the National Environment Appellate Authority within a period of 30 days.
