Centre takes up production delay in NTPC blocks with states

Delay is attributable to adverse law and order situation in the state, says Piyush Goyal

The Centre today said it has taken up with states issues concerning delays in production in captive mines alloted to NTPC for early resolution.

"The issues are taken up with the state governments concerned for early resolution. These blocks are due for coal supply from December, 2015 to June, 2016," Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

With regard to NTPC's Pakri-Barwadih, Chatti-Bariatu and Kerandari coal blocks in Jharkhand, the minsiter said the delay is attributable to adverse law and order situation in the state, delay in land acquisition and lack of policy of the state government regarding squatters on forest land and government land for less than 30 years.

"Production from Talaipalli coal block in Chhattisgarh has been delayed due to delay in the approval of R&R plan, transfer of government land and approval of mining lease by the State Government," Goyal said.

Dulanga coal block in Odisha was earlier put in the 'No-Go Area' and cleared from 'No-Go Area' in August, 2011 which delayed further action, he added.

In the last fiscal, NTPC imported 10.8 million tonnes (MT) of coal, "the cost of which is about Rs 7,078 crore", Goyal said.