Also 25% free power from IPPs, CGPs
In order to get compensated for environmental degradation and heavy pollution occurring due to coal mining, the State Government has decided to propose to the Union Power Ministry to impose a cess of Rs 250 per metric tonne of coal exported to other States.
Energy Minister Pranab Prakash Das would raise this demand in the Energy Ministers’ conference to be held in New Delhi on Tuesday.
“The concern of Odisha is that while other States enjoy cleaner power, the State bears the brunt of countless disadvantages like land acquisition problem, decline in forest area, environmental degradation and loss of flora and fauna. Coal mining also results in heavy pollution of air, water and land,” said a senior official.
Notably, with coal bearing States demanding compensation for negative externalities arising out of coal mining, The Energy Resources Institute (Teri) has recommended a cess at the rate of Rs 119 per tonne of coal produced.
The cess has been proposed by Teri keeping in view the environmental and social impact of coal mining. Apart from this, the Energy Minister is also expected to reiterate the demand for 25 per cent to 33 per cent free power from the IPPs and the CGPs operating in the state to meet the negative externalities.