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Expansion projects of coal mines involving increase in production capacity by up to 40% in 2-3 phases will not require a public hearing, an expert panel of the environment ministry has held in a decision that is set to bring significant relief to India’s coal industry. The coal ministry repeatedly sought such a relief arguing that public hearings in the process of forest clearance is time-consuming. Environmentalists, however, said the relaxation to miners will dilute the present system. The decision was taken by the environment ministry’s EAC (expert appraisal committee) on coal mining projects in its meeting on 25 July.