Chief Minister Raman Singh on Thursday urged the Centre to clear the irrigation and power projects which fall under the Forest Conservation Act in the fast-track mode.
He said that the Central Government has given powers to lay two-lane roads in the forest area to the State Government but denied the same facility for irrigation projects.
The Chief Minister held a detailed discussion with the top officers of Union Forest, Environment and Climate Change Ministry's Director General of Forests Dr S.S. Negi at his official residence here.
Singh urged for the opening of a Regional office of Union Environment and Climate Change Ministry in Raipur.
The clearances should be fast and hence the Regional Office should be opened in Raipur, the Chief Minister demanded.
Dr Negi said that a Camp Office of the Nagpur Regional Office will be opened soon at Raipur and asked for appointment of a Forest Officer for the same.
Singh also urged the Director General of Forests to fast-track the clearance of Soundhur Irrigation canal which is pending due to want of Forest Clearance.
Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand said several minor Irrigation projects in Dantewada district are pending for want of Forest Clearance.
Energy Department Principal Secretary, Aman Kumar Singh said that the State Government had conducted a survey to provide electricity to the villages in Bijapur, Narayanpur and other districts.
The cases relating to forest clearance should settled as early as possible, he urged.
Dr Negi appreciated the efforts of the State Government in conservation of forests.
State Forest Minister Mahesh Gagda, Home Department Principal Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam , Public Works Department Principal Secretary Amitabh Jain, Secretary of Industry Department Subodh Kumar Singh, Chief Minister's Joint Secretary Rajat Kumar and a number of senior officers were present at the meeting.