(a) whether any request has been made by the Government of Uttar Pradesh to the Ministry under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 for transfer of forest land to Northern Coal Fields on lease for non-forest purposes in Sonbhadra under Krishna Shila Project; and
(b) if so, the time by which this permission is likely to be granted?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT AND FORESTS (SHRI NAMO NARAIN MEENA)
(a) to (b) Central Government has already granted permission for diversion of 235.99 hectares of forest land for Krishnashila Open Cast Project in favour of M/s Northern Coalfields Limited in district Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh, vide letter dated:06-01-2005, under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.