Review of Coal blocks to Enhance Coal Production
Parliamentary Consultative Committee of Ministry of Coal meets
An exercise has been taken up jointly by Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Environment & Forests to superimpose maps of coal bearing areas on maps of forest cover in case of nine coalfields with a view to identify such areas. A review is under process with involvement of Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Power, Minister of Steel, Ministry of Environment & Forests and Planning Commission to revisit the identified blocks for enhancing coal production availability. This was informed by Shri Saugata Roy, Minister of State, Urban Development to the members of Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the ministry here today.
The Minister said that the country’s economy is expected to grow at 8 to 9 percent for enabling which, the power sector is required to grow at 9 to 10 percent. The projected shortage of coal by 2011-12 is about 83 million tones and the same is expected to be more than 200 million tones by 2013-2014. Imports of coal are fraught with technical issues as also port infrastructural issues. Thus it becomes imperative to develop the domestic resources fully with due regard to environmental considerations.
Replying the concern raised by the member regarding delay in coal projects, he said that the coal sector is facing hurdles in taking up new projects and continuing the ongoing projects mainly on account of delays in obtaining forestry clearances, environmental clearances, land acquisition, related rehabilitation and other clearances from State Governments. Government of India is seized with the matter and taking all the required measures in addressing the issues. Ministry of Coal is in constant dialogue with Ministry of Environment & Forests for expediting the clearances and State Governments are also being pursued for the necessary cooperation in timely acquisition of land for coal projects and to resolve the issue of rehabilitation of project affected persons in a mutually agreeable manner and also issue necessary clearances like Prospecting Lease and Mining Lease etc., he added.
Briefing about the environment protection measures being taken by the coal industry, Shri Jaiswal said that coal mining industry is a responsible sector which undertakes massive afforestation activities on regular basis as the mine progresses. Coal mining projects do not destroy the forest cover over the mining area in one go. Forest land is broken in parcels covering the requirements of say 2-3 years of operations at a time. As the mining area progresses, afforestation of the mined out area and surface over burden dumps etc. are taken up during this period. Bio reclamation aspects are addressed in a thorough manner and in a number of cases the mined out areas in coal companies have been reclaimed and water bodies created turning them into picnic spots. Even birds sanctuaries and wildlife have been promoted in these areas, the Minister said.
Participating in the discussion, the Member of Parliament said that strict monitoring mechanism should be introduced to check the pilferage of the coal and modern technology should be introduced to increase the production further.
Parliamentary Consultative Committee of Ministry of Coal meets
An exercise has been taken up jointly by Ministry of Coal and Ministry of Environment & Forests to superimpose maps of coal bearing areas on maps of forest cover in case of nine coalfields with a view to identify such areas. A review is under process with involvement of Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Power, Minister of Steel, Ministry of Environment & Forests and Planning Commission to revisit the identified blocks for enhancing coal production availability. This was informed by Shri Saugata Roy, Minister of State, Urban Development to the members of Parliamentary Consultative Committee attached to the ministry here today.
The Minister said that the country’s economy is expected to grow at 8 to 9 percent for enabling which, the power sector is required to grow at 9 to 10 percent. The projected shortage of coal by 2011-12 is about 83 million tones and the same is expected to be more than 200 million tones by 2013-2014. Imports of coal are fraught with technical issues as also port infrastructural issues. Thus it becomes imperative to develop the domestic resources fully with due regard to environmental considerations.
Replying the concern raised by the member regarding delay in coal projects, he said that the coal sector is facing hurdles in taking up new projects and continuing the ongoing projects mainly on account of delays in obtaining forestry clearances, environmental clearances, land acquisition, related rehabilitation and other clearances from State Governments. Government of India is seized with the matter and taking all the required measures in addressing the issues. Ministry of Coal is in constant dialogue with Ministry of Environment & Forests for expediting the clearances and State Governments are also being pursued for the necessary cooperation in timely acquisition of land for coal projects and to resolve the issue of rehabilitation of project affected persons in a mutually agreeable manner and also issue necessary clearances like Prospecting Lease and Mining Lease etc., he added.
Briefing about the environment protection measures being taken by the coal industry, Shri Jaiswal said that coal mining industry is a responsible sector which undertakes massive afforestation activities on regular basis as the mine progresses. Coal mining projects do not destroy the forest cover over the mining area in one go. Forest land is broken in parcels covering the requirements of say 2-3 years of operations at a time. As the mining area progresses, afforestation of the mined out area and surface over burden dumps etc. are taken up during this period. Bio reclamation aspects are addressed in a thorough manner and in a number of cases the mined out areas in coal companies have been reclaimed and water bodies created turning them into picnic spots. Even birds sanctuaries and wildlife have been promoted in these areas, the Minister said.
Participating in the discussion, the Member of Parliament said that strict monitoring mechanism should be introduced to check the pilferage of the coal and modern technology should be introduced to increase the production further.
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