Lok Sabha Question No. 2447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Promotion of Energy Sector in Jharkhand
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Brijmohan Agrawal

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 2447 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 th  MARCH 2025

## Promotion of Energy Sector in Jharkhand

## † 2447. Shri Brijmohan Agrawal:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state: -

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  plan  to  establish  a  special  energy  security  fund  to achieve self-reliance in the energy sector in Jharkhand;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the manner in which it would benefit the State's energy infrastructure;
- (c) whether the Government is taking any initiative to promote renewable energy sources specifically for  energy  production  and  supply  in  Jharkhand,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  whether  any  financial schemes or funds would be established, if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  formulated  any  policy  for  the  optimal  utilization  of  petroleum  and natural gas resources in Jharkhand;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the manner in which it will boost employment opportunities and investment in Jharkhand?

## ANSWER

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛमंũी ( ŵी सुरे श गोपी )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

- (a) : No.
- (b) : Does not arise in view of (a) above
- (c) : Government have taken several initiatives to promote renewable energy capacity in the country including  in  state  of  Jharkhand.  Schemes  such  as  PM-KUSUM,  PM  Surya  Ghar  Muft  Bijli  Yojna, National Program on high efficiency solar PV module, National Green Hydrogen Mission, Viability Gap  funding  (VGF)  for  offshore  Wind  Energy  Projects  have  been  launched.  Laying  of  new transmission  lines  and  creating  new  sub-station  capacity  have  been  funded  under  Green  Energy Corridor Schemes for evacuation of renewable power.
- (d)  to  (e): To  harness  Coal  Bed  Methane  (CBM)  potential  in  the  country  including  in  state  of Jharkhand,  the  Government  formulated  CBM  Policy  in  1997,  wherein  CBM  being  Natural  Gas  is explored and exploited under the provisions of the Oil Fields (Regulation and Development) Act 1948 and  Petroleum  &  Natural  Gas  Rules  1959.  In  2018,  Government  notified  a  Policy  framework  for exploration  and  exploitation  of  unconventional  hydrocarbons  in  existing  acreages  under  existing Production Sharing Contracts (PSC), Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Contracts and Nomination fields.

Government have identified and offered CBM Blocks from coal-bearing areas in Jharkhand. Under various rounds of bidding, a total of eight CBM blocks have been awarded in the state of Jharkhand. Out of these eight blocks, at present four CBM blocks covering an area of ~1405 Sq.km are active.

(f): The CBM activity enhances direct and indirect employment opportunities. Operators of the newly awarded Block during SCBM-2021 envisage to invest around 1.4 Million US Dollars in upcoming 3 years for exploration of CBM in Jharkhand.Till date, CBM operators have invested around 470 Million US Dollars for the exploration and development of Coal Bed Methane in Jharkhand.

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