Cabinet approves policy for use of land acquired under CBA Act

It has been done with the objectives of facilitating utilization of lands that are mined out or are practically unsuitable for coal mining and for increasing investment and job creation in coal sector New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the policy for use of land acquired under the Coal Bearing Areas Act, 1957. The approved policy provides a clear policy framework for utilisation of these types of lands acquired under the CBA Act - lands no longer suitable or economically viable for coal mining activities or lands from which coal has been mined out / de-coaled and such land has been reclaimed. The Cabinet said that the government coal companies, such as Coal India Ltd and its subsidiaries shall remain owners of these lands acquired under the CBA Act and the policy allows only leasing of the land for the specified purposes given in the policy. The lands will be considered for activities including setting up coal washeries, setting up conveyor systems, to establish Coal Handling Plants, constructing railway sidings, rehabilitation and resettlement of project affected families due to acquisition of land under the CBA Act or other land acquisition law, to set up thermal and renewable power projects, to set up or provide for coal development-related infrastructure including compensatory afforestation, to provide Right of Way, coal gasification and coal to chemical plants and to set up or provide for energy-related infrastructure.