The union ministry for ennvironment and forests on Tuesday put on hold the clearance it granted last month to NRI billionaire Anil Agarwal of Britain to set up a controversial multi-billion, multi-disciplinary Vedanta University in Orissa.

The proposed university is under controversy over the way the Orissa Government went out of the way to acquire land for it despite it being a completely private venture by the Anil Agarwal Foundation which has no experience of running the educational institutions.

Knowledge Commission chairman Sam Pitroda is tipped to be the first chancellor of the multi-billion, multi-disciplinary university.

The Anil Agarwal Foundation has been told not to proceed with any construction/ development work. The letter cites the "interalia irregularities, illegal, unethical and unlawful deeds by M/s Anil Agarwal Foundation and the serious objections raised during the Orissa Coastal Zone Management Authority meeting had not been appropriately considered before granting the CRZ and environmental clearance" for taking the rather unsual step of withholding permission already accorded.

The letter asked the Foundation to maintain status quo till a detailed examination of all the issues raised in the complaint is done by the Expert Appraisal Committee of the ministry. The letter does, however, reveal who the complaint is.

For the full letter, click here.