New Policy required for Land use under CBA Act, 1957
~Preet. The Union Cabinet has adopted a policy for the use of land acquired under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act of 1957 [CBA Act]. The policy calls for the use of such land for the development and construction of coal and energy infrastructure. The policy establishes a clear policy framework for the use of lands acquired under the CBA Act that are no longer appropriate or economically feasible for coal mining operations; or sites from which coal has been mined out / de-coaled and such land has been reclaimed. Government coal firms, such as Coal India Ltd. (CIL) and its subsidiaries, would continue to own the lands acquired under the CBA Act. The government firm that owns the property would lease it for the time period specified in the policy. In order to obtain best value, leasing firms must be selected through a transparent, fair, and competitive bid process and method. The lands will be examined for operations such as the establishment of washeries, coa