SC asks Centre to apprise it on 6 hydro-power projects

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the government to apprise it of the findings of an inter-ministerial committee, set up to look into an expert panel’s report giving clearance to six hydro-power projects to be built on Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins in Uttarakhand.

A Bench of Justices Dipak Misra and UU Lalit asked the government to submit the report of the committee, comprising Ministries of Environment and Forest, Power and Water Resources, by January 5.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) PS Narsimha, appearing for the Centre, said the inter-ministerial panel was set up on November 23 to look into the report of an 11-member experts’ committee on the pending hydro-power projects in the hill state. The panel had prepared the environment and ecological impact report of these projects.

“In view of the aforesaid statement made by the ASG, we list the matter for January 20 for further hearing. The Union of India shall apprise the court about the final decision,” the Bench said.