Rajya Sabha Sabha
Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao, Minister of State for Coal informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply today that the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC), a major public sector producer of lignite and lignite based power in the country, has plans for development of blocks in open cast mining, underground coal gasification and coal bed methane in Rajasthan and Gujarat. In addition to the existing mining and power generation activities in Tamil Nadu, the company is expanding its operations in Rajasthan.
Dr. Rao further said that NLC also takes up exploration activities in lignite blocks in the country to augment lignite production. NLC is also designated as a data center for lignite resource database. Therefore, keeping in view the future plans of NLC and to ensure that the resources are put to use in a planned and scientific manner, it has been provided that a State Government company or undertaking shall obtain a certificate from NLC to the effect that they have no plan or willingness to undertake mining operation in the concerned lignite block. The present arrangement is under review, the Minister added.
Regarding Raneri Lignite block in Bikaner district of Rajasthan, NLC proposes to utilize the deposits from this block for an Underground Coal Gasification project, which was sanctioned on 08.08.2005. “It is expected to be completed within four years form the date of sanction,” Dr. Rao said.
RCJ/ls
(Release ID :27730)