Ranchi: Four non-operational coal blocks of Jharkhand will start production by the end of current fiscal, said a communique issued by the Ministry of Coal (MoC) on Tuesday.
The coal blocks to become operational are Tokisud in Hazaribag, Brahmdiha in Giridih, Lohari in Palamu and Moitra in Hazaribag. Tokisud has been allotted to the NMDC Ltd, a Government of India enterprise, while JSW Steel limited has been awarded Moitra coal block for commercial mining.
Mines Director, Jharkhand, Ameet Kumar, who attended the meeting convened by the Coal Ministry along the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Jharkhand, said that the officials of the MoC had reviewed the status of 20 non-operational captive and commercial coal blocks of Jharkhand state and fixed the timeline to commence mining.
Additional Secretary & Nominated Authority of the MoC chaired the meeting in Delhi with officials of Jharkhand and discussed the status of project proponents. During the meeting, Jharkhand officials said that mining lease (ML) clearances have been offered in case of Lohari and Moitra coal blocks, while it is under process in the rest two cases.
The MoC officials appreciated the improvement in overall status of non-operational coal blocks of Jharkhand and the assistance provided by the State Mining and Forest departments. It was observed that about three to four coal blocks will get mine opening permission and coal production will start from four coal blocks in during this financial year.
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Production from captive & commercial coal blocks of Jharkhand is likely to be about 37.3 million ton in 2022-23 against 17.72 million ton in 2021-22 and thus, there will be 110.4 % increase in coal production this year over 2021-22.
Ministry of Coal assured to provide all possible support in resolving the issues faced by the project proponents.
