Odisha to hold up approvals for de-allocated coal blocks

However, land acquisition proceedings will be allowed to continue since administrative approval has already been accorded

The Odisha government has decided not to grant approvals for acquisition of land in case of three de-allocated coal blocks in the state- Baitarani West, Mandakini-B and Naini.

In case of New Patrapada coal block, which was also de-allocated, land acquisition proceedings will be allowed to continue since administrative approval was given earlier. However, the land acquired by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) will not be transferred till further orders. The coal block was jointly allocated to Tata Sponge Iron Ltd, Bhushan Steel, JSW Steel and SKS Ispat.

For de-allocated Utkal-D block, though the acquired land along with the alienated land has already been allotted to the joint venture company, Idco will not permit mortgage of the land by the company for any purpose. On dissolution of the joint venture company, OMC will continue to hold the land till further decision of the Government of India on the de-allocation issue.

The state government has also decided to move the Coal ministry again for allocation of these five de-allocated coal blocks in favour of state PSUs.

It may be noted, the Baitarani West coal block was jointly allocated to Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) and two PSUs of other states - Gujarat Power Corporation Ltd (GPCL) and Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). The Coal ministry on December 11 last year, had de-allocated the Baitarani west coal block in view of the unsatisfactory progress made in development of the coal mines and end-use plants.

The Naini block was awarded to two PSUs of other states- Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) and Pondicherry Industrial Promotion Development & Investment Corporation Ltd (PIPDIC).

OMC had won the Mandakini coal block jointly with Meghalaya Mineral Development Corporation (MMDC), Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) and Assam Mineral Development Corporation (AMDC).