Coal exploration from Mandakini Mines put on fast track

Bhubaneswar: The issues relating to coal exploration from Mandakini coal mines have been put on fast track with Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy reviewing and resolving the issues over a digital meeting here on Thursday.

The matters relating to conduct of Socio-Economic Survey (SES), processing of forest diversion proposal, getting environmental clearances from statutory authority in Government of India, drilling activities by Central Mine Planning & Design Institute to for estimating resource quality and preparation of scientific mining plan etc were discussed in the meeting.

 Listening to the people’s concerns, Tripathy directed the Angul Collector to prepare a comprehensive rehabilitation package as per provisions of the coal bearing area development act and rehabilitation policy of the state.

Tripathy added, “Odisha’s rehabilitation policy is a very dynamic and progressive policy and proper packaging of the compensation awards would be beneficial to the people.”

 The mine developing authorities were asked to design rehabilitation package as per local requirement in consultation with district authorities.

Further, Chief Secretary Tripathy directed the Collector, Superintend of Police, and concerned Tahasildar to communicate with people likely to be affected directly without any middle man and explain them properly about the ‘rehabilitation package’. 

Proper housing with basic infrastructure facilities must be made in rehabilitation sites, he added. 

 Additional Chief Secretary Forest and Environment Dr Mona Sharma appraised that in the meanwhile the forest diversion proposal was prepared.

It would be sent to Ministry of Forest and Environment, Government of India in the coming week.

Steel and Mines secretary Surendra Kumar apprised that Nabkrushna Choudhury Center for Development Studies made the pre-study preparations for Socio-Economic Survey.

It was decided to start SES and non-coal proving operations in the coming week.