LS: Bill to replace coal ordinance introduced

The allocation of coal blocks was now being made in line with the provisions of the ordinances and rules made under them, and the auction of coal blocks would be through an e-auction process in order to keep the process transparent.

The introduction of this bill was the second one to replace an ordinance, the earlier being the one to replace the controversial Land Acquisition Ordinance last week.

BJD floor leader Bhartruhari Mahtab registered his party’s opposition to the introduction of the bill due to strong reservations about certain provisions. He said, “We are not opposed to auctioning of coal mines… But we are opposed to the manner in which certain subjective decisions are being taken by the Government arbitrarily… Our CM Naveen Patnaik has written a letter to the PM also… They are not taking any state governments into confidence.”

Mahtab was also critical of the Centre issuing several ordinances, insisting that such a move “turns the legislature into a rubber stamp”.

Speaker Sumitra Mahajan told Mahtab not to argue on the clauses of the bill and limit his objection only to the introduction part.