The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Orissa Government not to change the situation on the ground regarding land acquisition for setting up the Vedanta University in Puri.
Admitting appeals in the matter, the apex court ordered the State Government to maintain status quo regarding the nature, character and possession of the land that has been acquired or is sought to be acquired for the Vedanta group's project.
The project's promoter Anil Agarwal Foundation and the State Government had challenged an Orissa High Court order that held the land acquisition for the project as illegal and had directed that the land be given back to its owners.
The Foundation, however, claims that it has not violated any norms and says the allegations were made by vested interests. According to reports, the Foundation had acquired over 4,000 of the 6,892 acres allotted to it. The High Court's ruling came on petitions against the Orissa Government's notification on the procedures regarding land acquisition as well as alleging that the project will adversely impact the area's eco system and bio-diversity.
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