Odisha approves check list for processing coal block applications

Allocates need to furnish status of end-use plants

The Odisha steel & mines department will process prospecting license (PL) and mining lease (ML) applications of coal block allocatees according to a checklist.

The checklist approved by the department makes it mandatory for the allocatees to furnish status of end-use plants linked to coal blocks.

Information on the end-use project of the coal block should include capacity of the thermal or captive power plant (CPP) and up-to-date status of the plant regardless of whether it is located within the state or outside.

The allocatees also have to provide particulars relating to date of allocation of the coal block, stake holding of the company formed to develop the coal block, land area applied for grant of PL, status of compliance to terms and conditions issued by the state government, obtaining consent to operate and establish from the State Pollution Control Board and obtaining bank guarantee.

Following preparation of this check list, coal block allocates whose blocks were either at PL or ML stages can hope to expedite them.The state government's move is set to benefit corporate players like Jindal Steel & Power Ltd-JSPL (Utkal B1 and Ramchandi coal blocks), Monnet Ispat & Energy (Utkal B2), Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd-IMFA (Utkal B2), National Aluminium Company-Nalco (Utkal E), Odisha Power Generation Corporation- OPGC (Manoharpur and dip side of Manoharpur) and Strategic Energy Technology Systems Private Limited (SETSPL), a joint venture between a consortium of Tata companies and Sasol of South Africa (north of Arkhapal and Srirampur coal block).

Coal blocks of these developers were at an advanced stage having either been granted prospecting licenses (PL) or mining leases (ML). Development of these coal blocks, however, was stalled amid Coalgate row with the state government opting to play safe by sitting over their processing.In December last year, the Odisha government got the go-ahead from Ministry of Coal to initiate due action on development of coal blocks till any irregularities surface.