Question : Commercial Settlement Near Coal Mining Areas

(a) the details of rules regarding residential and commercial settlements near coal mining areas;
(b) the details of financial and rehabilitation assistance likely to be offered to people living in nearby residential and commercial areas in case the coal mining work reaches within its boundaries as a result of the expansion; and
(c) the policies formulated by Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) for rehabilitation of human settlements considering the fact that NCL coal mines have made inroads into the populated areas of Madhauli, District-Singrauli which is dangerous and illegal?

MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES
(SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)
(a): The land for the purpose of coal mining is acquired under the provisions of Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957 [CBA(A&D) Act]. The payment of compensation against the acquired land and assets (attached to these land) to land losers is provided as per compensation for land owners according to the First Schedule of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR, Act).
(b): In course of the expansion of the coal project, it is required to acquire the land, lying ahead or nearby the mining boundary of the coal mining to continue coal mining. This land is acquired under CBA(A&D) Act, 1957 and the affected persons are given financial compensation for their acquired Land and Asset as per the First Schedule of RFCTLARR Act,2013 and rehabilitation assistance as per the 2nd Schedule of RFCTLARR Act, 2013.
(c): For the Expansion of Jayant Project (OCP), 462 hectare of land (including 286.345 hectare of Tenancy Land, 83.105 hectare of Government Land and 92.55 hectare of Forest Land) has been acquired under CBA(A&D) Act, 1957 vide S.O. number 3065, dated 20.10.2011. The said acquired land has some land patches, accommodating the populated areas of Madhauli, District- Singrauli. Wherever the coal mines have made inroads into the populated areas like that of Madhauli, Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) has followed the policy as per the relevant Act and formulated provisions only under legal guideline. In this regard NCL abides by the following policy:-
(i) The operation of the coal mines are conducted in such a manner that makes no place dangerous.

(ii) The land of Madhauli has been acquired under the CBA(A&D) Act, 1957 for Jayant Project.

(iii) The compensation for the acquired Land & Assets (attached to the said land) of Madhauli for Jayant Project is being paid to the land losers as per the First Schedule of RFCTLARR Act, 2013 and rehabilitation and resettlement benefits is being given in addition to the CIL R&R Policy 2012, duly approved by NCL Board of Directors. It is as per the guideline of ‘Removal of Difficulties Order'' that was issued by the Department of Land Resources on 28th August 2015, which took effect from 01.09. 2015.
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