File image of the Vedanta emblem exterior its headquarters in Mumbai
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Mining and oil big Vedanta ran a covert lobbying campaign to weaken key environmental laws in the course of the pandemic, OCCRP alleged in a brand new report.
The not-for-profit organisation mentioned the Indian authorities authorized the modifications with out public session and carried out them utilizing “illegal methods”.
Vedanta spokesperson didn’t instantly supply any feedback.
“In one case, Vedanta led a push to ensure mining companies could produce up to 50% more without new environmental approvals,” it mentioned.
Vedanta’s oil enterprise, Cairn India, additionally efficiently lobbied to have public hearings scrapped for exploratory drilling in oil blocks it gained in authorities auctions. Since then, six of Cairn’s controversial oil tasks in Rajasthan have been authorized regardless of native opposition, it claimed.
