(a) Whether the Government has approved the policy of exploration and exploitation of Coal Bed Methane;
(b) if so, the States in which exploration of CBM is extended; and
(c) the funds allocated, if any, for such exploration in different parts of the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS ( SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR )
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) In the first offer of blocks under the Coal Bed Methane (CBM) policy approved by the Government, 7 blocks falling in the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan were offered for bidding by private and public sector companies. In response to this, bids for 6 blocks situated in West Bengal, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have been received.
(c) As per CBM policy, no investment from Government is required.