The Jharsuguda district administration has issued show cause notice to the alumina smelting and power generation unit of Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL) for construction work in the area violating the provisions mentioned in Environment Protection Act, 1986.

“The construction work done by VAL at its smelter unit and power plant has invited provisions mentioned in section 15 (contravention of the act) and 16 (offenses by the company) of the environment protection act. They have been asked to reply within two weeks,” says Rabindra K Mishra, additional district magistrate of Jharsuguda district.

As per the order, the CEO of VAL Jharsuguda unit has to present before the district administration on February 28 for preliminary hearing at the collectorate. The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) had earlier communicated to the state government about violation of the act by VAL.

Vedanta said it has not received any notices and will reply only after getting the physical copy of it.