Planning Commission circulates cabinet note for timely implementation of GoM's suggestions on coal mining

05 Mar 2014 Evaluate

The Planning Commission has circulated a draft Cabinet note seeking Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI)’s approval for further directions to the concerned ministries for ensuring timely implementation of the recommendations of an inter-ministerial panel on environmental issues related to coal mining. The CCI’s approval is also sought for action by the respective ministries on the recommendation where no action has been initiated so far.

The Coal Ministry had earlier proposed to CCI for making available more coal bearing areas to enhance coal production. It in its cabinet note circulated, also highlighted delays in obtaining forest and environmental clearance, land acquisition and other issues. However, while considering the note on January 13, 2011, the then Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure directed that all pertinent issues should be first considered by the Group of Ministers and thereafter, the matter may be brought before the notice of the CCI.

Inter panel group of ministers, which was set-up to sort out the environmental issues affecting coal production in February 2011 was then mandated to consider all issues relating to reconciliation of environmental concerns emanating from various developmental activities including those related to infrastructure and mining.

Among other things, the GoM had earlier recommended the construction of NTPC’s North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Plant at the present site. With regard to all forests which can never be regenerated to the desired quality, the GoM had suggested a committee to identify such forests.  The committee was set up under the Secretary MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forests) to set objective parameters for identification of “inviolate forest areas and come up with a policy. Although the Environment Ministry set up the committee and circulated a draft report on inviolate areas, the final print is yet awaited.

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