Question : COAL BLOCKS FOR ULTRA MEGA POWER PROJECTS

(a) whether the Government has not allocated any coal blocks under the tariff based competitive bidding for the ultra mega power projects during 2011 and 2012;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the number of such power projects pending despite assured fuel supplies from Coal India Limited and the reasons therefor; and

(c) the effective measures taken/being taken by the Government to fast track clearances for such ultra mega power projects?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF COAL (SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement referred to Lok Sabha Starred Q.No.248 for answer on 11.12.2012.

(a) & (b): Government has not allocated any coal blocks under the tariff based competitive bidding for the Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) during 2011 and 2012.

The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2010 provides for grant of reconnaissance permit, prospecting licence or mining lease in respect of an area containing coal and lignite through auction by competitive bidding, on such terms and conditions as may be prescribed. This, would however, not be applicable in the following cases:-
# where such area is considered for allocation to a Government company or corporation for mining or such other specified end use;
# where such area is considered for allocation to a company or corporation that has been awarded a power project on the basis of competitive bids for tariff (including Ultra Mega Power Projects).

The Government has notified the â€œAuction by Competitive Bidding of Coal Mines Rules, 2012â€ on 2nd February, 2012. Further, the notification on the commencement of the said Amendment Act, 2010 has also been notified by the Ministry of Mines on 13th February, 2012. The coal/lignite blocks can only be allocated under the amended Act and above mentioned Rules.

The details of 12 coal blocks allotted for tariff based bidding including UMPPs are as under:-

Name of the Allocatee	Coal Block allocated	Date of Allotment	Geological Reserves (In MT)
Power Finance Corporation, Orissa UMPP	Meenakshi	13.09.2006	285.24
Power Finance Corporation, Orissa UMPP	Meenakshi B	13.09.2006	250
Power Finance Corporation, Orissa UMPP	Dip side of Meenakshi	13.09.2006	350
Power Finance Corporation, Sasan UMPP	Moher	13.09.2006	402
Power Finance Corporation, Sasan UMPP	Moher-Amlori Extn	13.09.2006	198
Power Finance Corporation, Sasan UMPP	Chhatrasal	26.10.2006	150
Power Finance Corporation, Jharkhand UMPP	Kerandari BC	20.07.2007	972
MAHAGENCO (M/s Aurangabad Co.Ltd..SPV)	Bhivkund	17.07.2008	100
Karanpura Energy Ltd. (SPV of JSEB)	Mourya	26.06.2009	225.35
Akaltara Power Ltd. (SPV of Chhattisgarh UMPP)	Puta Parogia	09.09.2009	692.16
Akaltara Power Ltd. (SPV of Chhattisgarh UMPP)	Pindrakhi	09.09.2009	421.51
Sakhigopal Integrated Power Company Ltd.	Bankhui	21.06.2010	800
(SPV of first additional Orissa UMPP)

Fuel supply from Coal India Limited (CIL) is not envisaged for UMPPs. However, based on authorization/recommendation of Standing Linkage Committee (Long Term) for Power, the coal companies have issued 172 Letter of Assurances (LoAs) for a total capacity of 1,08,878 MW. This capacity excludes the power utilities already linked to CIL/Singareni Collieries Company Ltd. (SCCL), which were commissioned as on 31.3.2009 for which Central Electricity Authority (CEA)/CIL has agreed for the Annual Contracted Quantity of 304.84 Million Tonnes per annum.

(c): In order to fast track development of UMPPs after award of project to the selected developer, following actions are required to be taken by the Special Purpose Vehicle incorporated for the project (UMPP):

Prior to Issuance of RfQ
$ Land: Issuance of Section 4 notification under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 for land of power station.
$ Environmental clearance: Rapid EIA report for power station is prepared, as per the Terms of Reference (ToR) awarded by MoEF.
$ Fuel arrangements: Allocation of coal mine (s) is obtained in case of pithead UMPPs.
$ Water linkage is obtained.

Prior to Issuance of RfP
@ Land: Notification under Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 is issued for the land of the power station.
@ Environmental clearance: The proposal for environmental clearance for power station is submitted before MoEF.
@ Forest Clearance (if applicable): Requisite proposal for forest clearance for the land for the power station is submitted before the concerned authority responsible for according final approval.
@ Data: For preparation of DPR is prepared which includes :-
Hydrological, geological, meteorological, seismological data.
Prior to the transfer of SPV to the Selected Developer
# Environment clearance for the power station is obtained.
# Award for power station land under Land Acquisition Act is obtained.

In addition to the above, commitment is taken from lead procurer for facilitating acquisition of land required for water intake pipeline and fuel transportation system etc. The above measures facilitate implementation of the project after award of the project to the successful developer.

Question : COAL BLOCKS FOR ULTRA MEGA POWER PROJECTS

Answer given by the minister

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