Vedanta, a prominent Indian natural resources company, faces allegations of conducting a clandestine lobbying campaign to relax crucial environmental regulations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), Vedanta’s Chairman, Anil Agarwal, proposed to India’s former environment minister that mining firms be permitted to increase production by up to 50% without requiring new environmental clearances to stimulate economic recovery. OCCRP also reported that Vedanta’s oil subsidiary, Cairn India, successfully pushed to eliminate public hearings for exploratory drilling in government-awarded oil blocks. Vedanta defended its actions, asserting that it aims to boost domestic production sustainably in line with national development goals. The allegations come amidst increased scrutiny of environmental and corporate practices in India.
“Vedanta Accused of Covert Lobbying to Weaken Environmental Rules During Pandemic”
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