The issues relating to coal exploration at the Mandakini coal mines in Angul district have been put on fast track with Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy reviewing and resolving the issues on Thursday.
Steel and Mines Principal Secretary Surendra Kumar outlined various contours of the issues for discussion.
The matters relating to conduct of socio-economic survey (SES), processing of forest diversion proposal, procuring environmental clearances, drilling activities for estimating resource quality and preparation of scientific mining plan were discussed in the meeting. Tripathy directed Angul district Collector to prepare a comprehensive rehabilitation package as per provisions of the coal bearing area development act and rehabilitation policy of the State.
He asked the Collector, the SP and the concerned Tehsildars to communicate with would-be-affected people directly without any middleman and explain them properly about the ‘rehabilitation package’.
“Proper housing with basic infrastructure facilities must be made in rehabilitation sites, said the Chief Secretary.
Forest and Environment ACS Dr Mona Sharma appraised that a forest diversion proposal has been prepared, which would be sent to the Ministry of Forest and Environment in the coming week.
Kumar apprised that Nabkrushna Choudhury Center for Development Studies made pre-study preparations for socioeconomic survey. It was decided to start SES and non-coal proving operations in the coming week.
