Union Coal Secretary Anil Swarup lauded the prompt steps taken by the Chhattisgarh Government to start production at the new coal blocks in the State.
Swarup expressed hope that the other States will also show similar promptness to start production from the new coal blocks. In a meeting with senior officers of Chhattisgarh Government here on Friday, the Union Coal Secretary directed the officers of South Eastern Coalfields ltd (SECl) to complete the two rail corridors of Chhattisgarh soon. For the proposed Eastern Rail Corridor between Kharsiya and Dharmagarh (approved till Dharamgarh) Swarup directed the SECl officers to give approval for extension of the corridor till Korba.
Chief Secretary Vivek Dhand reviewed the preparations for coal production with the Collectors of Korba, Raigarh, Balrampur, Surajpur and Koriya districts through video conferencing. Swarup issued directions for disposal of issues related to Revenue and Forest Department in the given time-frame to start coal production at nine new coal blocks of the State. These coal blocks include Dipka, Pelma, Jagannathpur, Chal, Kartali (East), Jamapali, Bijari and Mahamaya.
He directed the officers of SECl and Coal India to remain in continuous touch with the local administration. The Union Coal Secretary suggested for organising a Regional Workshop in Raipur so that other states also expedite the work for coal production. Swarup assured of taking appropriate steps to ensure adequate supply of coal to local industries. He praised the important role played by the Collectors of Korba and Raigarh in ending the recent strike of coal workers in the State.
Dhand asked the Collectors and officers of SECl and Coal India to make the works under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) more public-oriented through mutual coordination. He said that the Collectors should hold regular meetings with local general managers of SECl to complete the works under CSR initiative.