Ramesh calls on Jaiswal; Talcher,Ib Valley blocks may get go-ahead

The meeting comes days before the Group of Ministers (GoM) — constituted to iron out the serious differences between the coal,power and steel ministries on one hand and the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) on the other — is supposed to meet,triggering speculations that the MoEF could be indicating to sort out certain issues before the group meets. During the course of an hour-long deliberation between the ministers,Ramesh is understood to have agreed to expressly consider bailing out blocks with less density vegetation cover from ‘No Go’ areas.

“We had a fruitful meeting and both of us agreed that certain issues which could be mutually resolved,be so done. After all,we both would do what is in the best interest of the nation. We are again meeting on Friday,” Jaiswal told The Indian Express. Though the minister didn’t elaborate,a coal ministry official said MoEF has expressed its willingness to consider less vegetated blocks in Talcher and Ib Valley coalfields.

However,MoEF would not review its decision on other coalfields including Singrauli,Hasdeo-Arand and Mand Raigarh. After today’s meeting observers are now hopeful of a positive outcome after the next Friday meeting,wherein Ramesh is expected to formally communicate his ministry’s decisions on certain issues.