In view of the fact that the go/no-go categorization of coal bearing areas will further aggravate the prevailing shortages in domestic coal supplies to the power sector, the Ministry of Power (MoP) has decided to support the Union Coal Ministry before the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI), where it intends to prove that such demarcation by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF)has no legal sanctity.
- Like the MoC, the power ministry has opined that the MoEF should vet all forest clearance proposals for approval, irrespective of their categorization as `go` or `no-go`, unless insurmountable detrimental effects on wildlife forest reserves are observed.
- Further, the MoP wants the MoEF to adopt a special dispensation for clearing ultra mega power projects (UMPP) and the coal mining projects associated with those mega ventures.
- Besides, it has been demanded that the coal supply to any power plants, including those in areas with Comprehensive Environment Pollution Index (CEPI) above 70, should not be stopped by the MoEF for the sake of the country`s sustained economic growth.
- The MoP also wants the MoEF to not insist on grant of coal linkages as prerequisite for environment clearances to domestic coal-based power projects, as this stipulation affects their timely execution.
- To note, a total of 203 coal blocks currently fall under `no-go` areas and cumulatively, these blocks have a production potential of about 660 MTPA, which is sufficient to fuel 130,000 MW worth of power generation capacity, thereby, eradicate the power deficit faced by the nation.
No comments:
Post a Comment