PMO to push environ nod for larger acreage in coalfields

Getting environment clearance for coal projects is likely to become easier with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) stepping into the issue. A source familiar with the development said the PMO is likely to ask the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF ) to give clearance to at least 80% of the area across ninetop coalfields in the country as ‘go areas’ - or places where mining activity could be conducted. Currently, the MoEF has classified 65% thusly. The nine coalfields are North Karanpura and West Bokaro (Jharkhand), IB Valley (Orissa and Chhattisgarh) Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh), Talcher (Orissa), Wardha (Maharashtra), Mandirgarh and Hasdeo-Arand (Chhattisgarh) and Shoagpur (Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh). 

 Last month, PMO officials met senior MoEF representatives, and expressed concern over the classification of ‘no go’ areas in India’s most important coalfields. At the meeting, the MoEF was asked to review its definition of ‘no go’ areas across the 9 coalfields. The ministries of coal and power were not happy with the proceedings, and asked the PMO to take a clear stand on the issue, according to sources. “The PMO has decided to convene a meeting once again where the officials of the ministries of coal, environment and power would be present,” the source said. The MoEF may be asked to change its stance so that capacity addition in power projects is not impacted, the source said. Recently, the ministry of power had to delay request for qualification of the 4,000 mw ultra mega power project (UMPP) in Chhattisgarh due to an environment clearance hurdle.