HYDERABAD: The Union Environment MinisterJairam Ramesh on Tuesday slammed theUttarakhand government for its inaction against the illegal sand mining in the state and said that sending show-cause or closure notices to the state would be Centre's last resort.

He criticised the Uttarakhand government for its "inaction over 18 months despite repeated intimations from the environment ministry to the state government."

The union minister made this comment on the sidelines of the fourth international summit on Microfinance, which began here on Tuesday.

He said that even though sand mining comes under the purview of the state government, the Union ministry can intervene if the state fails to take suitable action.

"In view of the sensitive nature of the issue, if the state government does not take credible action within the time-frame, we (the environment ministry) would not hesitate to take action," Ramesh said.

"Under section 5 of the Environment Protection Act, I have powers to issue show cause and closure notices both. We will exercise that option as the last resort only," he added.

Illegal sand mining became a political issue in Uttarakhand with the death of 36-year-old Swami Nigamanand last week, who demanded stopping of quarrying in the Ganga.

Replying to question on POSCO project in Orissa, Ramesh said the issue has to be dealt with by the Orissa government and also said that he was against a forcible acquisition of land from farmers and poor people.

"I am sure, the government will demonstrate greatest sensibility. Children seem to be in the first line attack. So situation has to be handled very carefully. And I hope no untoward incident will take place," he said.

Regarding the Polavaram project, Ramesh said, the Andhra Pradesh government has come forward to construct an embankment wall in Malkangiri and Dantewada districts of Orissa and Chhattisgarh respectively.