Coal India has not stopped production from its mines even as the central pollution board has ordered a closure of its 22 opencast mines in the eastern Indian province of Jharkhand. CIL’s contention is that it has received environmental clearance for its Jharia cluster, while mine wise’ clearance is pending.

Mr NC Jha CMD of CIL told CNBC-TV18 that “We have not halted production in any of our mines in Jharkhand. We have not yet received any notice from the authorities to stop production adding there was no disruption in providing coal to their clients from various sectors.

These mines are operated by Bharat Coking Coal Limited a wholly owned subsidiary of CIL, resulting in a production loss of 40 000 tonne per dau of coal.

Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board has alleged that the company had failed to secure mandatory clearances from the Forest and Environment Ministry.

The absence of forest and environment clearance with CIL is a legacy issue for the company from the days of coal mine nationalization in 1973. During that time, about 400 fragmented mines were nationalized and brought under BCCL.

Since the mines were in close proximity to each other and with similar topography and environment, clearances had been sought on basis of clusters. But the pollution control authority has ordered closure of the mines since separate clearances had not been secured for each of the mines.

CIL sources said that will approach the ministry of forest and environment and may even move the court since the move would further aggravate the coal shortage in the country.

(Sourced from CNBC-TV18)