Bhubaneswar, April 11: The Rs 4,500-crore project of Utkal Alumina Industry Limited (UAIL) in Raygada district faces trouble with the Assembly committee on environment recommending a stay on construction.

The panel, headed by Speaker Maheswar Mohanty, in its interim report has noted that the green clearance given to the project had expired in 2000 and was yet to be renewed. The company, however, continued with the construction work.

The regional officer of the state pollution control board had told the panel that he was ?not aware? of the expiry of environmental clearance, the report said.

In this context, the House panel has asked the UAIL authorities to obtain the renewal at the earliest and recommended to the government suspension of work until then.

The committee has advised the government to make the company prepare a new environmental management plan, replacing the one submitted 10 years ago. The government has also been asked to suggest the appointment of an expert committee to monitor implementation of the plan.

In December 2000, there was a clash between villagers and police at Maikanch over land acquisition. Four tribals were killed in the police firing that followed.

Work on the project, undertaken in the Kashipur area of Raygada, resumed after the situation returned to normal.

Taking note of complaints received from villagers on poor rehabilitation, the committee has recommended that employment be provided to a member each of the families affected by the project.