Question : MINING LEASE

(a) whether the Union Government had received any proposals from the Government of Gujarat for prior approval for Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation’s mining lease applications for lignite, silica, sand and ball clay over an area of 854 hectares at villages Damlia, Padal, Rajpur and Moran, Taluka Jhagadia in district Bharuch during 2007 and the lignite bearing areas of 3319 hectares in district Kutch during the last year; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Union Government thereon?

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

(a) & (b): The Government had not invited applications for allocation of lignite blocks under the Government dispensation route during 2007. However, requests from the State Governments including Gujarat, were received. As no lignite blocks were offered for allocation, the requests of State Governments could not be considered.

Coal and lignite blocks were earlier allocated in pursuance of Section 3 of the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973 whereas the prior approval of the Central Government for grant of mining lease of the allocated coal/lignite blocks are given under the relevant provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Allocation of a lignite block under Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973 is a prerequisite before the prior approval of the Central Government is accorded for grant of mining lease under the relevant provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. The above mentioned blocks have not been allocated by the Ministry of Coal to the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Ltd. (GMDCL). Hence prior approval of mining lease for these areas does not arise.

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.