Under pressure to come up with a fool-proof system for allocation of coal blocks, the Coal Ministry plans to amend the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act.
This is expected to enable quick transfer of land held by Coal India to successful bidders.
The Ministry has floated a Cabinet note to transfer surface rights of land held by the public sector miner to the awardees.
According to the proposal mooted by the Coal Ministry, the land transfer would be through a conveyance deed on terms agreed between the winner and Coal India.
It further suggests that the mineral rights will be deemed to be with the State Government which shall grant mining lease to the successful player.
Regarding the terms agreed upon for land transfer, the proposal also stipulates that it will include the cost incurred by Coal India, money spent on rehabilitation and resettlement, and acquisition of the land.
The Coal Ministry is of the opinion that such a move will ensure distribution of natural resources in a fair and transparent manner within the ambit of the existing law.
The note has been circulated to the Ministry of Power, Ministry of Mines, Department of Land Resources, Department of Expenditure, Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Steel, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and the Planning Commission. Comments on the note are still awaited.