Parliament Question: Allocation of Pachwara North Coal Block

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3106 ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026 ALLOCATION OF PACHWARA NORTH COAL BLOCK 3106. SHRI RAJKUMAR ROAT: Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a) whether the Pachwara North Coal Block in Amrapada was allotted to West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) on 26.04.2005 and if so, the details of the allotment thereof; (b) whether approximately 1,830 acres of land was not duly acquired within the said coal block and adequate compensation was not provided by WBPDCL between 2005 and 2025 and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; (c) whether all mining permits for the said coal block has been issued in the name of the private firm BEMPL and if so, the details of the provisions under which the permits were issued and provide copies of all relevant documents and regulations; and (d) whether the said coal block was cancelled by the Hon’ble Supreme Court due to irregularities and whether subsequently all illegal drilling permits were transferred to WBPDCL and if so, the basis on which these permits were transferred? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY) (a): Pachwara (North) Coal Block in the State of Jharkhand, was allotted to West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) on 26.04.2005 as per provisions of Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act, 1973. The Coal Block was developed by Bengal Emta Coal Mines Limited (BECML), a Joint Venture of West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL), Durgapur Projects Limited & Emta Coal Ltd. (b): 1830.28 acres of land was acquired by Bengal Emta Coal Mines Limited (BECML) under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894. The compensation amount, as calculated on the basis of the prevailing land rates was deposited with the District Administration, Pakur for disbursement. (c): No, mining permit/mining lease for the Pachwara (North) Coal Block was not issued in the name of BEMPL. It was issued in the name of Bengal Emta Coal Mines Limited (BECML). 1(d): The allotment of the Pachwara (North) Coal Block was cancelled by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in 2014. After cancellation, the Pachwara (North) Coal Block was allotted to West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 and all the statutory licences, permits, permissions, approvals or consents of prior allottee (BECML) were fully and absolutely transferred and vested in the allottee (WBPDCL), as per provisions of the Act. ***** 2