(a) whether the Government of Gujarat has recommended a proposal for prior approval of the Union Government for Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited mining lease application of Lignite bearing area of 1251 hectares at villages Sodgam, Pithor, Tuna, Umargam, Rajgadh, Vitthalgam, etc. Taluka-Valia, District Bharuch in 1999; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Union Government thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a) & (b): Proposals from the State Government of Gujarat for prior approval on Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited’s mining lease application in the district of Bharuch were received.
Coal and lignite blocks were earlier allocated in pursuance of Section 3 of the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973 as per the prevailing procedure of the Screening Committee/ Government Dispensation at that time. The prior approval of the Central Government for grant of mining lease of the allocated coal/lignite blocks were given under the relevant provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regu- lation) Act, 1957. The above mentioned lignite bearing area in Bharuch District was not allocated by the Ministry of Coal to the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (GMDCL).
Under the amended provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 and the Rules made thereunder, the Central Government on 29.07.2013 has invited applications for allocation of 5 lignite blocks to the State Government companies/corporations located in the state of Gujarat & Rajasthan.