By IANS,
Ranchi : Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) stands to lose production of around 40,000 tonnes of coal each day following orders from the Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) to close down 22 of its 103 mines.
“The closure orders were passed as the BCCL did not get clearance from the ministry of environment,” JSPCB member Sanjay Kumar said. “The BCCL upgraded its technology and started work without clearance. The BCCL authorities did not respond to our notices.”
The BCCL is yet to get the closure orders. “We may receive the copy of orders in a day or two,” BCCL Director D.C. Jha told IANS. “After that we will be compelled to close down the mines. The nearly 40,000 tonnes of coal per day these mines produce are supplied to the Steel Authority of India Limited and some thermal power plants.”
The BCCL intends to seek the intervention of the environment ministry. “We have already presented our side to the pollution control board and furnished documents relating to the process initiated with union environment ministry for clearance. We will approach the ministry,” Jha said.