Lok Sabha Question No. 2127 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Commercial Settlement Near Coal Mining Areas
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Rajesh Verma

## Government of India Ministry of Coal

## Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2127 To be answered on 04.03.2020

## Commercial Settlement Near Coal Mining Areas

## 2127.  SHRI RAJESH VERMA :

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)     the details of rules regarding residential and commercial settlements near coal mining areas;
- (b)        the  details  of  financial  and  rehabilitation  assistance  likely  to  be  offered  to  people living in nearby residential and commercial areas in case the coal mining work reaches within its boundaries as a result of the expansion; and
- (c)      the  policies  formulated  by  Northern  Coalfields  Limited  (NCL)  for  rehabilitation  of human  settlements  considering  the  fact  that  NCL  coal  mines  have  made  inroads  into  the populated areas of Madhauli, District-Singrauli which is dangerous and illegal?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a):  The land for the purpose of coal mining is acquired under the provisions of Coal Bearing Areas  (Acquisition  and  Development)  Act,  1957  [CBA(A&D)  Act].  The  payment  of compensation against the acquired land and assets (attached to these land) to land losers is provided as per compensation for land owners according to the First Schedule of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR, Act).
- (b):   In  course  of  the  expansion  of  the  coal  project,  it  is  required  to  acquire  the land,  lying ahead or nearby  the mining  boundary of the coal mining to continue coal mining. This land is  acquired  under  CBA(A&D)  Act,  1957  and  the  affected  persons  are  given  financial compensation  for  their  acquired  Land  and  Asset  as  per  the  First  Schedule  of RFCTLARR Act,2013 and rehabilitation assistance as per the 2 nd Schedule of RFCTLARR Act, 2013.
- (c):  For  the  Expansion  of  Jayant  Project  (OCP),  462  hectare  of  land  (including  286.345 hectare of Tenancy Land, 83.105 hectare of Government Land and 92.55 hectare of Forest Land)  has  been  acquired  under  CBA(A&D)  Act,  1957  vide  S.O.  number  3065,  dated 20.10.2011.  The  said  acquired  land  has  some  land  patches,  accommodating the  populated areas of Madhauli, District- Singrauli.  Wherever the coal mines have made inroads into the populated areas like that of Madhauli, Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) has followed the

policy as per the relevant Act and formulated provisions only under legal guideline. In this regard NCL abides by the following policy:(i)    The  operation  of  the  coal  mines  are  conducted in  such  a  manner that  makes no place dangerous. (ii)   The  land  of  Madhauli  has  been  acquired  under  the  CBA(A&D)  Act,  1957  for  Jayant Project. (iii)  The  compensation  for  the  acquired  Land  &  Assets  (attached  to  the  said  land)  of Madhauli for Jayant Project is being paid to the land losers as per the First Schedule of RFCTLARR  Act,  2013  and  rehabilitation  and  resettlement  benefits  is  being given in addition to the CIL R&R Policy 2012, duly approved by NCL Board of Directors. It is as per the guideline of ' Removal of Difficulties Order'  that was issued by the Department of Land Resources on 28th August 2015, which took effect from 01.09. 2015.

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