With an aim to bring more transparency in coal blocks allocation, Coal Ministry has planned to amend the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act.
The Ministry has circulated a Cabinet note to transfer surface rights of land held by the public sector miner to the awardees. According to the proposal, the land transfer would be through a conveyance deed on terms agreed between the winner and Coal India. The move is expected to enable quick transfer of land held by Coal India to successful bidders.
Further, the proposal suggests that the mineral rights will be deemed to be with the State Government which shall grant mining lease to the successful player. The proposal also stipulates that land transfer will also include the cost incurred by Coal India, money spent on rehabilitation and resettlement and acquisition of the land.