Latest news with #CoalBearingAreas(AcquisitionandDevelopment)Act
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Centre extends forest clearance validity
The Union environment ministry has extended the validity of forest clearances , which will now be the same as validity of coal mine leases granted under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957, according to a letter it issued to all states and UTs earlier this month. Centre extends forest clearance validity Earlier the guidelines and rules framed under Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam 1980 (the forest conservation law), forest clearances for coal mine leases could be granted for a maximum period of 30 years. The Chhattisgarh government through a letter dated March 10 sought clarification on the relevant provisions of extension of validity of approvals granted under the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Rules, 2023 to coal mining projects, according to documents seen by HT. The matter was thereafter discussed by the Forest Advisory Committee of the environment ministry on June 12. The meeting discussed that as per the provisions of the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957 and a clarification provided by the ministry of coal in a letter dated May 19, validity of coal mining projects/leases of state-owned companies, acquired under the CBA is perpetual i.e. once the lease is granted it remains valid till the life of the coal mine. The Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957 provides for the acquisition of land containing or likely to contain coal deposits for government companies only. 'Accordingly, the forest clearance would also be valid during the entire life of the mine i.e. till the exhaustion of its mineable minerals reserve irrespective of change lessee,' the minutes of the June 12 meeting said. Thereafter in a letter to states, available on Parivesh website, the ministry has said that it is hereby amending the guidelines related to validity of approvals granted to coal mining. The extension will be subject to payment of net present value (NPV). NPV is the valuation or cost of forests diverted determined based on ecological role and value of forests which is graded based on quality and type of forests. NPV payments are made by project proponents to compensate for the losses of forests and their ecosystem services because of infrastructure projects including mining. 'Earlier, in cases where substantial forest land was involved, MoEFCC preferred cluster-based mining approach, and a phase-wise clearance process. That allow periodic appraisal. Now, under this new order once FC is granted, it's for the entire life of mine, especially in coal bearing act cases where no lease term is defined. This extension will prevent any phase-wise appraisal. Since there is also a complete lack of monitoring system on ground, which together with extended forest clearance, will give the miner a free run. In case of private companies and MDO operators, it is possible that without exhausting the lower seams, which entail higher cost, they might break fresh forest area because they already have FC for the life of the mine,' said Sudiep Shrivastava, a Chhattisgarh-based environmental lawyer.
Hans India
24-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Jharkhand CM flags Rs 1.4 lakh crore mining dues at NITI Aayog meeting
New Delhi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren raised the issue of Rs 1.4 lakh crore in pending mining dues from central government-run companies during the 10th Governing Council meeting of NITI Aayog, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Saturday. Highlighting the state's entitlement, Soren said, 'An amount of Rs 1,40,435 crore is owed to Jharkhand by companies operating under the Central Government for mining on state land. The timely release of this amount would significantly accelerate developmental and welfare initiatives in the state.' The Chief Minister also called for amendments to the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, advocating that land used for mining be returned to the state once operations cease. He emphasised the need to fix accountability of mining companies for unauthorised extraction, noting the adverse environmental and social impact, including pollution and displacement. "Jharkhand is rich in coal and critical minerals, but mining has brought along serious concerns. These issues must be addressed with proactive measures," he added. Leading the state delegation, Soren made several suggestions to support the Centre's 'Viksit Bharat 2047' vision. He said the journey to a developed India must begin with 'Viksit Rajya' and should also include the concept of 'Viksit Gaon'. He highlighted the state's efforts in poverty alleviation, women's empowerment, youth skill development, agricultural advancement, education, infrastructure, and technological growth. One key initiative, he noted, was the state's economic empowerment scheme for women, under which around 50 lakh women are receiving Rs 2,500 per month. Referring to Jharkhand's coal-bed methane reserves, Soren stressed the need for large-scale energy initiatives and recommended that mining companies be mandated to establish captive plants in the state. He also proposed a rule requiring 30 per cent of mineral output to be used within Jharkhand to boost local employment. He urged the Centre to develop the Sahibganj district as a cargo hub, citing its strategic location for Jharkhand and neighbouring states. He also recommended setting up a dedicated industrial mining corridor, building a new bridge or high-level dam over the Ganga in Sahibganj, and increasing connectivity and infrastructure. On the issue of Naxalism, Soren pointed out that while 16 districts were affected in 2014, the number has now reduced to just two -- West Singhbhum and Latehar. However, he requested continued special central assistance for all previously affected districts to ensure lasting peace and development.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
HC Awards 4 Farmers Rs25 Lakh Each in WCL Mining Dumping Case
Nagpur: In a big relief for four farmers affected by mining-related damage , the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court directed Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) to pay Rs25 lakh each as interim compensation for illegally dumping mining overburden on their private agricultural lands in Chandrapur district . The court observed that the company acted without legal authority and 'exploited' the petitioners by depriving them of the use of their land for several years. The petitioners — Roopam Dhote, Shubham Donge, Rakhee Thakare, and Amol Dhawas — lawfully acquired land in village Naglon in 2015. Despite no formal acquisition by WCL, the company dumped nearly 2.16 lakh cubic meters of mining waste on the land, which subsequently became marshy and inaccessible. The landowners, represented by counsel Renuka Sirpurkar, approached HC in 2018, seeking compensation and restoration. The division bench of justices Avinash Gharote and Abhay Mantri ruled that the specific survey numbers were not included in the 2011 acquisition notification issued under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act. "Since the lands of survey numbers 61/5A, 61/5B, 61/5C, 61/5D are not included in the notification, they have not vested in the Central govt, and the petitioners continue to hold title," the judges stated. Rejecting WCL's argument that the land was within a broadly described boundary, the court said, "We are of the considered opinion that the notification has to include the concerned survey number. Failure to include such number would result in the land being excluded from acquisition." Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The court strongly criticised WCL's shifting stance while noting that the company initially agreed to acquire the land but later claimed it was no longer required. "It can't be denied that the petitioners were deprived of the use of their lands at least from 2016 till 2022. The threat of the overburden flowing into the land during continuous rainfall is a continuous one, looming over the petitioners," the court observed. Ordering the interim compensation, the bench noted, "We fix the tentative compensation to be paid to the petitioners for non-utilisation of the lands at Rs25 lakh per field, to be deposited by respondents within a week." The judges emphasised that any further claims would require detailed evaluation in civil proceedings. "The actual compensation which the petitioners claim, would be required to be determined in appropriate proceedings, as there are claims and counter-claims, and contrary positions indicated in the reports." Key takeaways from HC verdict: - Lands owned by petitioners not acquired under 2011 Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act notification - Survey numbers not notified for acquisition, hence ownership remains with petitioners - Unauthorized dumping of 2.16 lakh cubic meters of mining overburden by WCL on petitioners' land - WCL's conduct exploitative and violation of property rights under Article 300A - Interim compensation of Rs25 lakh per field to farmers, liberty to seek more
