Question : Cancellation of Tentuloi Coal Block

(a) whether the Government of Odisha has requested the Union Government time and again to cancel the Tentuloi coal block and to allocate any other suitable block to Odisha Thermal Power Corporation Limited (OTPCL) as techno-commercial mining viability of the block makes it unsuitable for mining as most of the coal is located at greater depth;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the progress made in cancellation of Tentuloi coal block and allocation of a suitable coal block (s) in lieu thereof;
(d) whether the Government is giving priority to allot the coal blocks to Central and State Public Sector Undertakings; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (c) : Yes, Sir. Ministry of Coal has received requests from the Government of Odisha to cancel the allocation of Tentuloi coal block as well as to allocate alternate suitable coal block in lieu thereof. On the basis of such requests, the allocation of Tentuloi coal block was reviewed by a Technical Committee and its recommendations have been sent to Government of Odisha for seeking their views. Further action in the matter will be taken up after receiving the comments/views of Government of Odisha.

(d) & (e) : The Government has recently notified the Coal Blocks Allocation Rules, 2017 for allocation of coal blocks to companies/corporations including the Central and State Public Sector Undertakings, under the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 on 13-07-2017. The coal blocks will now be allocated in accordance with the auction and allotment process as contained in the said Rules.

As regards 204 coal mines, which were cancelled by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, allocations of these coal mines are being made under the provisions of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 and the Rules made thereunder. Under the provisions of the said Act, coal mines/blocks have been allocated by way of allotment/auction through a transparent mechanism to both the Government PSUs (Central & State) as well as to Private companies.

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