(a) whether the Coal India Limited (CIL) and its subsidiaries are using forest land in
violation of the existing policies / guidelines;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the South Eastern Coalfields Limited has been asked to pay Rs.300 crore as
compensation for using forest land in Chhattisgarh;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether any responsibility have been fixed in the matter;
(f) if so, the details thereof; and
(g) the action taken against the erring officials?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL
(DR. DASARI NARAYANA RAO)
(a) & (b): No, Sir.
(c) & (d): South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) had filed a writ petition in the
Hon’ble Supreme Court of India for exemption from payment of Net Present Value (NPV)
for underground mining in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh on the ground that surface
forest is not disturbed due to underground mining. Supreme Court permitted operation of the mine
subject to the applicant – SECL depositing an amount of Rs.50 Crores towards NPV and an
undertaking to deposit the remaining amount with Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
Accordingly, SECL complied with the order.
SECL had also filed another petition in Hon’ble Supreme Court of India for
deletion of the condition of penal compensatory afforestation, as imposed by
Ministry of Environmental Forests, Government of India while granting approvals towards
renewal of forest land leases of SECL mines in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh states, on the
ground that there has been no violation of FC Act, 1980 by SECL in the matter as application
for renewal of forest land leases have been submitted by SECL to State Forest
Departments of Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh states well before the expiry of forest land
leases.
Upon Hon’ble Supreme Court’s order, SECL has deposited Rs.300 crores within the
stipulated time towards NPV and Penal Compensatory Afforestation against renewal of forest
land leases.
(e) to (g): Do not arise as the final verdict of the Hon’ble
Supreme Court in this case is yet to come.