In a totally new twist, Korean steel maker, Posco's plant in Orissa has got a red signal from the Union Ministry for Environment and Forests.

The ministry has asked the state government to stop all the work related to the steel plant as they are in direct violation of the forest rights law.

This ban is also implemented on land acquisition. Said minister for environment Jairam Ramesh that the, state government has already been given the orders.

Interestingly, this move comes after the Orissa government gave a go-ahead to the plant after going through the proposal given by the company.

The move is in direct line with the recommendations made by the joint panel of the Tribal Affairs and Environment Ministries. The panel was set up to assess the impact of the setting up of the plant and its direct bearings on the forest resources of the nation.

In its order, the ministry said, "The team's conclusion is that any work related to the project in the area is a violation of the FRA and of the conditions laid down by the ministry in its forest clearance issued last year."