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The Mineral Laws (Amendment) Act, 2020 was enacted to amend the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 [CMSP Act] and the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 [MMDR Act]. The amendments in CMSP Act and MMDR Act enable allocation of coal blocks for composite prospecting license-cum-mining lease. The methodology for auction of coal and lignite mines / blocks for sale of coal / lignite on revenue sharing basis was issued on 28.05.2020 and modified vide order dated 24.11.2021. The methodology shall be applicable on auction of all fully explored coal blocks/mines (categorised in G-1 exploration stage as per the modified Indian Standard Procedure for Coal Resource estimation, 2017) and partially explored coal blocks/mines (categorised in G-2 or G-3 exploration stage) for sale of coal under the CMSP Act and MMDR Act.

So far, 6 partially explored coal blocks have been successfully auctioned.

 No such grant was given to the Coal Ministry. However, Coal companies under the Ministry of Coal have taken up infrastructure development for more efficient evacuation of coal.

Further, under the sub-scheme "Development of Transportation Infrastructure in Coalfield (DTIC)" under the Central Sector Scheme of "Conservation, Safety and Infrastructural Development in coal/lignite mine, the following fund allocation for five years has been approved by the Government:

 

Year	2021-22	2022-23	2023-24	2024-25	2025-26	Total
Approved outlay	74.72 Cr.	72.00 Cr	72.00 Cr	72.00 Cr	72.00Cr	362.72 Cr
Actual allocation	65.48 Cr	50.04 Cr	-	-	-	-

 

This information was given by the Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in  Rajya Sabha today.

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MV/AKN/RKP

 

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