Indian Express reported that the Indian environment ministry has told a Group of Ministers that the coal ministry’s argument of a possible production shortfall of 39 million tonne is untenable as it has lifted the moratorium from 5 out of 7 coalfields.

In a presentation prepared for the GoM, set up to suggest ways on streamlining green clearances for the coal mining sector the ministry of environment and forests, said it has revoked the moratorium on mining imposed by it in 5 coalfields
1. Angul-Talcher
2. Ib Valley
3. Singrauli
4. Northern Coalfields
5. Mahanadi Coalfields

The ministry further said that it was actively examining the mitigation plans for the remaining two areas Chandrapur and Korba.

The minister said that “However, the coal ministry is yet to clarify as to how does it predict a 39 million tonne production shortfall due to moratorium on coal mining imposed under Comprehensive Environment Pollution Index.”

In 2009, the MoEF had introduced CEPI to categorize the environmental quality at given locations and conducted a nation-wide assessment of industrial clusters. 7 coalfields were brought under the purview of this moratorium. The high level committee appointed by the GoM and which was headed by Planning Commission member Mr BK Chaturvedi has, in its recent report, asked the environment ministry to lift the moratorium completely from the remaining two coalfields by September 30th 2011.

In response to the Chaturvedi panel’s suggestion that the restrictions on expansion of coal mining projects under CEPI be expressly removed, the ministry expressed its readiness in considering coal projects on priority as and when mitigation plans are formulated.

On the issue of allowing existing coal projects to carry out 25% expansion without public hearing, the MoEF has asked the coal ministry to furnish the list of such projects to it. However, the committee has in its report said that existing procedures should continue to apply for large and fresh expansions.

(Sourced from Indian Express)