Post news network
New Delhi: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Tuesday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention in resolving issues related to coal block allocation to state public sector units (PSUs) and earmarking more coal blocks for auction for non-regulated sectors.
During his meeting with Prime Minister at 7 Race Course Road here, Patnaik emphasised the need for early initiation of bidding process for ultra mega power projects in Sundargarh. He also demanded sharing of clean environment cess (CEC) between the state and Union governments in the ratio of 60: 40.
“I just had a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I sought his intervention on several matters which include bridge linkage of coal for Orissa Power Generation Corporation (OPGC), early initiation of bidding process for ultra mega power project at Bedabahal in Sundargarh, allocation of an alternative block in lieu of Tentuloi coal block to Orissa thermal power corporation (OTPC) and allocation of two coal blocks to Orissa mining corporation (OMC),” said Patnaik.
The Chief Minister further demanded extension of special dispensation of compensatory afforestation on degraded forest land to state PSUs and granting of conditional environmental clearance for mining projects in Orissa pending final report by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
‘‘The Prime Minister assured us to look into the matter,’’ added Patnaik.
When asked whether he raised the Kalahandi wagon factory issue with the Prime Minister, he said, “I did not raise the issue during this meeting. I had written a letter to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu about that.”
