Measure to Increase Coal Production
Due to the embargo on account of comprehensive environmental pollution index (CEPI) imposed by Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) with effect from January, 2010, Coal India Limited (CIL) reported an impact on coal production to the tune of about 15.83 million tonnes (MT) in 2010-11 from 12 projects and about 39 MT from 17 projects in 2011-12.
M/o Environment & Forest’s (MoEF) circular dated 31.3.2011 mandates sequential approval of forestry clearance (FC) and environmental clearance (EC) where forest land diversion is involved. 15 such proposals of CIL for a capacity of 45 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) are awaiting consideration at MoEF / State levels. These proposals will get affected in case there is delay in obtaining Stage-I Forestry Clearance. In addition to above, 48 proposals are also awaiting for EC at State/MoEF levels. The aggregate EC capacity involved for these projects is 119 MTPA. Further, 132 proposals for Stage-I FC and 48 proposals for Stage-II FC with a total production capacity of 394 MTPA are also awaiting clearance.
Any delay in processing of proposals for EC and FC will impact envisaged production plans of CIL.
The minister said that the various measures taken to increase coal production in the country include the following:
i) Modernization and mechanization of the existing underground (UG) and opencast (OC) mines;
ii) Vigorous monitoring of ongoing projects at both Government level as well as coal company level;
iii) Regular follow up with the State and Central Authorities at the highest level to address the issues related to environment, land acquisition and rehabilitation;
iv) Vigorous monitoring of development of captive mines;
v) Regular monitoring of development of infrastructure for coal evacuation etc.
This was informed by Shri Pratik Prakashbapu Patil , Minister of state in the Ministry of Coal while replying a written question in Rajya Sabha today.
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