Rajasthanchief ministerAshok Gehlot’s request to hisChhattisgarhcounterpartBhupesh Baghelseeking intervention for expediting necessary clearances for coal blocks has kicked up a row with Environment groups.
The groups are demanding to declare the entire Hasdeo forest region as a protected area to prevent mining operations that have led to human-elephant conflict in the northern part of the state.
The Union Government, in 2015, had allocated three coal blocks in Chhattisgarh to Rajasthan RajyaVidyut UtpadanNigam Limited (RVNUL) but only one of them has been able to commence production.
The other two blocks were stuck in delays. Rajasthan government points out that 15 million tonnes of coal is being produced from Parsa East and Kanta Basan block and making the other two coal blocks operational will double the production. Besides, it is being pointed out that the Parsa coal block has the potential to produce 5 million tonnes per annum of coal. Similarly, Kente Extension can give an additional 9 million tonnes per annum.