After Ramesh Snub, PMO Turns To Plan Panel

"My conscience does not allow me to agree with what is being proposed though it may have emanated from the PMO," Ramesh said, in a letter to prime minister's principal secretary TKA Nair in October.

The PMO had suggested the environment ministry increase the "go" areas for coal mining to 4.5 lakh hectares so 20 coal blocks from Hasdeo-Anand in Chhattisgarh could be allocated for two power projects.

Nair had held a meeting with the officials of coal and power ministries, who accused the environment ministry of unnecessarily blocking the projects. "The demarcation (go and no go) has no legal sanctity," a coal ministry official said. Read the full report here.

Source: Chetan Chauhan, Hindustan Times, New Delhi.