Lok Sabha Question No. 4333 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: Coal Block Allocation Contracts
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Bharat Singh Kushwah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4333 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## Coal Block Allocation Contracts

## †4333. SHRI BHARAT SINGH KUSHWAH:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) the terms and conditions under which contracts are signed with a company for the entire period from coal mine blocks allocation in the public interest and environmental concerns; (b) the environment protection measures taken in closed coal-mines in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh which were being operated by the Western Coalfield Company; (c) the steps taken by the company  for filling up the pits of open cast mines; (d) the number of trees planted and the funds spent on maintenance of such trees in closed mines during the last five years; and

(e) the number and total area of such closed coal mines on which the works of plantation and levelling has been undertaken?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL & MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) Pursuant to a transparent auction process conducted in accordance with the Act, the Rules, and the approved Tender Document, the Successful Bidder is entitled to enter into Coal Mine Development  and  Production  Agreement  (CMDPA)  regarding  the  allocation  of  a  Coal Mine. CMDPA  outlines  the  terms  and  conditions  binding  the  Successful  Bidder  for  the development and operation of the coal mine. These terms cover the allocation of the coal mine, post-vesting obligations, including the bidder's compliance with environmental, safety, and labor standards. The agreement mandates the use of sustainable, mechanized operations, and obligates  the  bidder  to  adhere  to  detailed  work  programs  and  production  schedules. Additionally,  it  includes  provisions  for  contractor  management,  insurance,  government inspections, and dispute resolution.

CMDPA  ensures  that  the  Successful  Bidder  complies  with  regulatory  requirements, operational standards, and contractual obligations to develop and operate the coal block in an efficient and responsible manner.

(b) In  Chhindwara  District  of  Madhya  Pradesh,  there  are  13  no.  of  coal  mines  of Western Coalfield Limited (WCL) that have been abandoned post 2009. Since coal mining activities

have ceased, there is no pollution resulting from these mines. All the aforementioned mines have approved Mine Closure Plans (MCP) and Environmental Clearances (EC).

After mining activities are discontinued, the inclines are sealed, the industrial infrastructure, including office buildings, are dismantled, and the area is levelled & provided with landscaping / plantation.

As  per  the  approved  MCPs  &  EC  conditions,  the  mines  undergo  technical  and  biological reclamation, primarily through plantation activities. Post-closure environmental monitoring is conducted  for  a  period  of  three  years.  Once  reclamation  and  monitoring  activities  are completed, third-party audits by agencies like CSIR-NEERI and IIEST Shibpur are conducted to certify that the reclamation works are as per the approved Mine Closure Plans.

Additionally, Final Mine Closure Plans for 20 Nos of pre-2009 mines have been approved in FY 2023-24 in accordance with the Ministry of Coal (MoC) guidelines issued in 2022. Further, Post-closure monitoring of environmental parameters (Air, water and soil) is being conducted for three years.

Apart from regular plantation activities, the reclaimed land of the abandoned mines is also proposed for repurposing activities such as eco-parks, walking trails, development of fisheries, Amrit Sarovar and Pumped hydro storage projects

(c) The mine voids of open-cast mines are either back-filled with Over Burden or developed as a water body as per the EC Conditions/EMP.

(d) The number of plantations and funds spend on plantation activities in abandoned mines of Chhindwara District during last five years :

|   SL. No. | Financial Year        | Plants Planted (Nos)   | Expenditure (INR)   |
|-----------|-----------------------|------------------------|---------------------|
|         1 | 2024-25 (till Feb'25) | 105000                 | 2,25,02,836.00      |
|         2 | 2023-24               | NIL                    | NIL                 |
|         3 | 2022-23               | 2500                   | 1,32,750.00         |
|         4 | 2021-22               | 2430                   | 87,000.00           |
|         5 | 2020-21               | NIL                    | NIL                 |

(e) Plantation works have been carried out in 4 number of mines in an area of 31.97 Ha during the last five years.

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