Lok Sabha Question No. 3531 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-23
Subject: Coal Mining
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: RITA TARAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3531

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2017

## Coal Mining

## 3531.   SHRIMATI RITA TARAI:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the coal mining adversely affects to environment in the coal mining areas and causes other negative externalities and if so, the details  thereof  and  the  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard;
- (b) the amount collected in different States and Clean Environment Cess  during  each  of  the  last  three  years  and  the  current  year,  Statewise;
- (c) the details of the State to which this amount has been sanctioned and the amount utilized during the said period, State-wise?
- (d) whether any State Government has requested to Union Government  to  share  the  clean  environment  cess  with  the  State  in which the cess has been collected; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  action  taken  by  the  Union Government thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER, NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): Coal companies are playing a proactive role in environment protection so as to ensure that its mining operations are carried out in environmentally compatible manner. Environmental control measures for Air Pollution, Water Pollution, Noise pollution are taken concurrently with mining operations.

Impacts on Air, Water and land quality due to mining practices and their mitigation measure are given below:

## Air pollution control:

Air pollution is controlled by regular spraying of water on haul & coal transportation roads by fixed as well as portable water sprinklers, Coal Handling Plants, all coal transfer points, coal & overburden (OB) faces, coal stockpiles etc. Other steps include fitting drills with dust collection  systems  /  wet  drilling,  black  topping  /  concreting  of  coal  transportation  roads.

Efforts have been made for use of more belt conveyors, rail etc. for coal transportation and to rationalize road transportation to reduce pollution, as per feasibility. Massive trees plantation in and around mines also reduces the impact of air pollution on neighboring areas.

## Water pollution control:

Mine  water  is  passes  through  sedimentation  pond  wherefrom,  after  sedimentation,  clean runoff  water  is  taken  out  for  beneficial  use  such  as  domestic,  industrial  and  agricultural purpose, after treatment to extent possible. Effluents from workshops is passed through Oil and  Grease  Traps  and  recycled/reused  for  dust  suppression  and  for  cleaning  purposes.  In major Mines, domestic effluents are being treated in Domestic Effluent Treatment Plants and in other mines in septic tanks.

## Noise pollution control:

Noise pollution is controlled through the careful selection of equipment, proper maintenance and insulation. Persons exposed to high noise level are being provided with ear muffs. This is besides tree plantation between work places and residential areas.

## Ecological damage control:

This is controlled by plantation on physically and biologically reclaimed mined out areas and on  the  OB  dump  areas,  plantation  in  and  around  mines,  road  sides,  township  /  residential areas, available vacant spaces and implementation of conservation plan for protection of flora and fauna as per EC. This is apart from the payment made for compensatory afforestation to Forest departments.

In  addition  the  environmental  protection  measures  are  taken  in  compliance  to  condition  of consent  to  operate  from  respective  State  Pollution  Control  Boards.  Regular  monitoring  of various environmental attributes are carried out as per Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to assess  the  efficacy  of  environmental  protection  measures  taken  and  if  required  additional measures are taken to keep the various environmental attributes within the prescribed limits of the Regulatory Agencies.

- (b):  As  per  the  information  received  from  Department  of  Revenue,  Ministry  of  Finance, State -wise data on collection of Clean Environment Cess is not maintained. All India Net collection figures of Clean Environment Cess during the financial  years 2013-14, 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17 are as under:-

(Rs.in Crore)

| F.Y.                    | Clean Environment Cess   | Clean Environment Cess   |
|-------------------------|--------------------------|--------------------------|
|                         | Customs                  | C.Excise                 |
| 2013-14                 | 135.41                   | 3081.72                  |
| 2014-15                 | 451.09                   | 5393.46                  |
| 2015-16                 | 1172.27                  | 12675.60                 |
| 2016-17( April-January) | 843.32                   | 20285.27                 |

(c) to (e): Information is being collected and will be laid down on the table of the House.