Orissa urges Centre to expedite coal block allotment

Taking note of the delay in allotment of coal blocks which has held up the progress of different power projects in Orissa, the state government has decided to send a delegation to the Centre soon to expedite the allotment of coal blocks.

“A delegation led by the state energy department and consisting of the industry leaders will approach the Government of India within a few weeks to help expedite the allotment of coal blocks”, said state industry secretary, Saurabh Garg.

It may be noted that no coal block has been allotted for any power project in the state since September 2008.

The state government has inked MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with as many as 21 independent power producers with a cumulative generation capacity of 25970 MW entailing an investment of Rs 1.07 lakh crore.

Garg said, three sensitization meetings have been held of late at the level of Revenue Divisional Commissioner or collector to discuss problems relating to expediting land acquisition for industrial projects.

“To expedite the land acquisition process, the consent award guidelines are being finalized. Moreover, the collectors of all districts have been asked to identify land which can be used by the industries. This is the first step towards creating land banks for industrial projects”, he said.

Garg was speaking at an interactive session of the industries with the state chief minister Naveen Patnaik organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

On issues related to power evacuation and transmission, he said, “Orissa Power Transmission Corporation is identifying 4-5 industrial clusters where strengthening of transmission is needed. Moreover, Grid Corporation of Orissa Ltd and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd will prepare a power evacuation plan with the concerned units,”

The chief minister Naveen Patnak said, “The state government has decided to set up an Industrial Training Institute (ITI) in every block of the state.” He suggested that the industries setting up their units should aim at generating employment opportunities for the locals.

Talking on industry's suggestions, S S Nandurdikar, chairman of CII-Orissa said, “The industries have called for more effective single window system with a nodal officer for a group of industries. They have also asked for creation of land banks as well as creation of expertise in facilitating land evaluation and land acquisition.

The other suggestions made by the industries include focused attention to development of identified industrial clusters and zones, creation of good physical and social infrastructure and management of clusters through a board managed cluster authority.

Nandurdikar said, “Employment would be given to the locals to the extent of 90 per cent for unskilled jobs, 60 per cent for semi-skilled jobs and 30 per cent for skilled jobs. Of the 79 industrial units that have signed MoUs with the state government, 25 have shown commitment either to adopt an existing Industrial Training Institute or set up an Industrial Training Centre (ITC).”

He pointed out that 65-70 per cent of the industries have evinced interest in development of ancillaries.