Coal exploration: Forest min throws spanner in works
CMPDI is currently drilling in 45 blocks, but exploration is pending in 38 blocks for want of MoEF clearance. In FY12, the number of blocks in which exploration was pending was 21. This rose to 38 in FY13, Debnath said.
He said the coal ministry has already taken up the issue with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and CMPDI is waiting for the PMO’s action.
The plan panel has already recommended a huge increase in the requirement of funds — R4,507 crore — to carry out exploration activities in the 12th Plan Period and the Centre will have to provide R1,621.21 crore of the total requirement. The government was asked to provide R893.89 crore in the 11th Plan Period, but the coal ministry approved only R523.08 crore.
The Plan panel has recommended CIL to spend R1,680 crore in the 12th Plan period for exploration against R714 crore spent under the 11th Plan. Of the R1,680 crore, the government will have to spend R974.69 crore for exploring non-CIL blocks and R546.62 crore for promotional exploration.
Singerani Collieries has been asked to spend R188.90 crore in the current Plan period against R88 crore spent in the last Plan period.
Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation and Rajasthan State Mines & Minerals would together spend R43.07 crore for undertaking exploration activities in the 12th Plan period, a Planning Commission official said.
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