Overview

• Congress leader Jairam Ramesh reiterated allegations of irregularities and pointed to an August 9, 2023 Lok Sabha reply stating the Dhirauli project falls under Fifth Schedule protection.
• The Environment Ministry has said Stage-I and Stage-II forest approvals were granted and called claims about constitutional protections factually incorrect and misleading.
• Ramesh highlighted a March 31, 2022 District Collector certificate claiming Forest Rights Act processes were completed, contrasting it with state records he says show no community or habitat rights recognized in Singrauli.
• The Madhya Pradesh government maintains the site is not under PESA or the Fifth Schedule, says a public hearing with Gram Sabha approval was conducted, denies tree-felling allegations, and reports ₹18 crore compensation is being processed for 49 patta holders.
• Adani Power has said it received Coal Ministry approval earlier this month to commence mining at Dhirauli, as Ramesh also flags diversion of about 3,500 acres of forest across five villages with nearby communities dependent on these forests.