With a view to facilitating the use of mineral or unconventional coal mining and to increase investment and job creation in the coal sector, the Union Cabinet led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved a policy to use land acquired. under the Coal Carrier (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957 [CBA Act].
The policy provides for the use of such land for the development and establishment of coal and energy infrastructure. The CBA Act provides for the acquisition and transfer of coal-owned land to a State-owned company, without interruption. The approved policy provides a clear policy framework for the use of the following types of land acquired under the CBA Act, Land that is no longer eligible or no longer viable for coal mining activities.
State Coal company policy
State coal companies, such as Coal India Ltd. (CIL) and its subsidiaries will remain the owners of these properties acquired under the CBA Act and the policy only allows for the lease of land for the stated purposes provided in the policy. State coal companies can invest privately in joint projects to improve coal and energy infrastructure.
The state-owned company will own the land for the specified period provided under the policy and the leased businesses will be selected through a transparent, fair and competitive bid process to achieve the full value.
Land will be considered for the following activities for the establishment of coal-fired power stations; Transport systems; Coal processing plants; Rehabilitation and Resettlement of Affected Families Project as a result of land acquisition under CBA Act or other land acquisition law; hot power projects and renewals; to provide infrastructure related to coal development including compensation tree planting; Coal gasification.
• Mineral or non-fossilized mines are often burglarized and include costs that could have been avoided in security and repair. Under the approved policy, the establishment of various coal and energy-related infrastructure, without the transfer of ownership to state-owned enterprises, will result in the creation of a number of direct and indirect jobs.
• Non-commercial land use will also assist CIL in reducing operating costs as it will be able to stabilize coal-related infrastructure and other projects such as solar panels in its area by adopting different business models in partnership with the private sector. It will make charcoal gas installation projects more efficient as coal does not have to be transported to remote areas.
Purpose& projects of Landuse
• A proposal to use land for rehabilitation will ensure the efficient use of land and will eliminate the waste of valuable land, prevent the acquisition of new land for the rehabilitation of Project Affected Families, eliminate the burden of additional financial burden on projects and increase profits.
• It will also address the needs of displaced families as they choose to live closer to their own homes. It will assist in securing local support for coal projects and providing land to the National Government for forestry replacement forest land diverted to coal mines.
• This Policy will assist in achieving the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat by promoting domestic production, reducing foreign trust, creating job opportunities, etc. The policy will open up a world of diversified coal and energy development activities that will encourage investment in the backyard of the country. Already acquired land use will also prevent land redistribution and associated migration and will improve productivity and local industries.
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