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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 117
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2026
Public Consultation in Sijimali Mining Project
117. SHRI SAPTAGIRI SANKAR ULAKA:
Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to
state:
(a) the details of public hearings conducted for the Sijimali Bauxite Mining Project along with
the dates and locations;
(b) the number of objections and representations received from local residents and Gram
Sabhas;
(c) whether all concerns raised during the public consultation process have been addressed
before granting approvals; and
(d) whether the Government proposes an independent review where substantial objections have
been raised by local communities?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND
CLIMATE CHANGE
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (b) As per the information received from the Odisha State Pollution Control Board
(OSPCB), the details of the public hearing conducted at two districts falling in the project area
in accordance with the procedure prescribed under Appendix IV of the Environment Impact
Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, as amended is furnished as below:
Rayagada District: 16th October, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at Trinath Dev High School,
Sunger, Kashipur Tehsil, Rayagada District.
Kalahandi District: 18th October, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at Kerpai Gram Panchayat
Headquarters, Thuamul Rampur Block, Kalahandi District.
A total of 1,832 written representations were received during the public consultation process,
comprising 843 representations pertaining to Rayagada District and 989 representations
pertaining to Kalahandi District.
(c) to (d) The proceedings of the public consultation, together with the Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) Report, Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and other prescribed
documents, are duly considered by the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) during appraisal of
the proposal and thereafter recommended for grant of Environment Clearance. Based on the
EAC recommendations, Environmental Clearance (EC) was accorded on 30th June, 2026
subject to stipulation of environmental safeguards including, inter-alia, the action plan to
address the issues raised during public consultation process.
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