NEWS

State-owned Oil India Limited (OIL) had managed to get environmental clearances to expand its hydrocarbon testing and drilling activity in the eco-sensitive Baghjan area of Assam?s Tinsukia district without facing public hearings, an official document reviewed by The Wire shows.

Public hearings and a detailed environmental impact assessment (EIA) plan were mandatory for getting approval to carry out any oil and gas exploration activity near eco-sensitive zones until the Union environment ministry tweaked this norm in January this year, exempting oil and gas firms, looking to conduct exploratory drilling, from seeking an environmental clearance.

Read more at :?Oil India Skipped Public Hearings Before Expanding Drilling in Assam?s Baghjan