VOA标准英语2010年-India to Decide on Fate of Major Forei

（单词翻译）

India has put on hold a multi-billion dollar expansion of an aluminum¹ plant by a British-based company. The government said it based its decision on environmental concerns. The government will also decide next week on the fate of a proposed steel plant by a South Korean company.

Environmental concerns

British-based Vedanta Resources had planned a six-fold expansion of its aluminum refinery² in the eastern Orissa state. But the environment ministry³ asked the company to halt any further construction activity because of what it called "illegal work" to expand the plant. The government did not elaborate on what illegalities prompted its decision.

It is the second time that the company's mining projects in India met with a problem. Two months ago, the environment ministry rejected a proposal by Vedanta to mine bauxite⁴ for its refineries⁵ in Orissa saying it would damage the environment and displace tribal⁶ communities.

Another high profile project facing an uncertain future over environmental concerns is a proposed $12 billion steel plant by South Korean steelmaker Posco. The project, also to be established in Orissa, is the largest ever investment by a foreign company in India.

Recommendations

Three out of four members of a government panel have recommended scrapping⁷ clearances⁸ given to the project citing serious lapses⁹. The panel had reviewed Posco's compliance¹⁰ with environmental laws, as well as its rehabilitation¹¹ provisions for local people. The Environment Ministry is scheduled to take a decision on the fate of the project next week.

The deal for Posco's steel plant was first signed in 2005. But the project has already faced years of delays because of opposition¹² from farmers unwilling¹³ to give up their land.

Chief economic adviser¹⁴ to the Federation¹⁵ of Indian Chambers¹⁶ of Commerce and Industry, Anjan Roy, says the fate of these projects is being carefully watched by foreign investors¹⁷.

"If some projects are not being cleared, or projects which are cleared are being revoked¹⁸, naturally there will be (a) nervousness among foreign investors," Roy said.

Government stand

The Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh, has said he is not opposed to development or large projects, but is simply trying to ensure better compliance with environmental laws, which have often been flouted¹⁹ in the past.

Most of India's mineral resources are concentrated in eastern states. These are also some of the country's poorest regions, where development has lagged behind other regions.

Those in favor of the large mining and industrial projects say they will give a thrust to the industrialization of these areas and create new jobs. But farmers and tribal communities complain they get displaced from their land, and are unable to find alternate livelihood²⁰.