GoM on coal to meet on July 14 to discuss environmental norms

29 Jun 2011 Evaluate

The Group of Ministers (GoM) on Coal is likely to meet for the fourth time on July 14 instead of July 02 to try and resolve issues hurting the production of coal in the country amid an ever-widening demand and supply gap. The demand and supply is increasing because of the strict environmental norms, and it is likely to reach 137 million tonnes in current financial year.

The GoM on coal is expected to discuss the issue of six coal projects allotted to power producers like ADAG, Essar and the Aditya Birla Group for fueling their thermal power plants, which has been delayed because of the awaiting environmental clearances. The coal blocks that are likely to come up for discussion are the Mahan and Chhatrasal blocks in Madhya Pradesh, Morga-II and Parsa in Chhattisgarh and Ashok Karkata and Chakla in Jharkhand. The GoM is also likely to consider the issues of exact location for the National Thermal Power Corporation’s 1980 MW thermal power plan on Jharkhand.

According to the minutes of third meeting, due to shortage of time, the issues of North Kaenapuara STPP (Super Thermal Power Project) could not be discussed in the third GoM meeting. The group of ministers was setup in February to discuss differences of various ministries on environmental norms affecting the projects especially coal sector. The 12 member GoM has met thrice in February, April and June, as of now, but could not reach any consensus.

In 2009, ministry of environment and forest had identified 203 coal blocks as no go mining zones, as per the coal ministry’s estimate, the production from these 203 coal blocks can generate 1.3 lakh mega watt power every year. The coal ministry has been demanding minimum 90% of these 203 coal blocks to reduce the increasing demand-supply gap for coal. The shortage of dry fuel is estimated to reach 200 million tonnes in coming 5 years.

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