By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Since 2015, a total of 12 Coal mines blocks have been allocated and auctioned in Odisha. These have a production capacity of 97 million ton per annum and will generate revenue of over Rs. 7,000 Crores. per annum for the State exchequer, creating over 1 Lakh direct and indirect local jobs.
However, out of these 12 coal mines, not a single private sector mine has been able to start production due to delay in land acquisition and statutory approvals. They remain idle and restricted from contributing to the economic growth of the state, sources said.
All permissions required expediting the land acquisition and statutory approvals to start the mine production now lies with State Government. The GSDP is estimated to contract by 4.9% due to the impact of COVID-19. However, Odisha fared better with respect to the rest of the country whose overall GDP had contracted at a higher rate of 7.3% in 2020-21.
Industry leaders feel the economic disruption created due to the pandemic can be mitigated if the Coal Mining Blocks in the state of Odisha can be expeditiously brought under operations. This will generate huge revenue for the state and create massive number of local jobs that have been lost due to the pandemic. It will restore and better the economic environment of the state.
