To fast track the implementation of coal mining projects deferred on account of environmental clearances or land acqusition problem, Union coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal asked for greater cooperation and support from state governments.
The minister met chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattarcharjee on his first visit to Bengal after taking charge and sought his government’s for faster environmental clearances and curbing corrupt practices. Speaking at a press conference in Kolkata on Wednesday, Jaiswal said, “Our aim is to increase coal production and the most important bottleneck to coal production in the country is land acquisition and getting environmental clearances.
The coal ministry have talked to the ministry of Environment and Forest and the centre has committed to give clearances within six months of application. We want that sort of commitment from state governments.”
In West Bengal, the 13 captive blocks allotted over 2100 hectares with estimated reserves of 13 million tons are deferred on account of land acqusition issues and forest clearances.
“I will take up these issues with the states. I have met West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattarcharjee and have recieved a satisfactory answer. I will meet Jharkhand governor and environment heads next,” he said. Of the 196 captive blocks allotted, estimated to have 40 billion tons of coal reserves, work has begun only in 13 blocks.
