Parliament Question: Resettlement and Rehabilitation Policy for Coal Mining Projects

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2888 ANSWERED ON 05/08/2026 RESETTLEMENT AND REHABILITATION POLICY FOR COAL MINING PROJECTS

2888. Shri Kali Charan Singh:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has reviewed or proposes to revise its policy on land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement for coal mining projects to ensure fair compensation for project- affected families and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is aware of complaints regarding inadequate compensation, delayed payments, rehabilitation and resettlement of project affected families by the Magadh and Amrapali coal mining in Jharkhand and if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard;

(c) the compensation policy presently applicable to coal mining projects including the basis for determining land value, payment of solatium, rehabilitation benefits, employment, annuity and other assistance to displaced families;

(d) the number of cases relating to delayed or disputed compensation and rehabilitation reported during the last five years in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, project-wise, along with the action taken thereon; and

(e) the measures proposed by the Government to ensure timely compensation, transparent land acquisition, effective rehabilitation and resolution of grievances of project affected families in coal mining areas? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)

(a): At present, there is no proposal to revise the policy on land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement for coal mining projects.

(b): Magadh and Amrapali Coal Mines in Jharkhand fall under the command area of Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL). CCL has taken the following Page 1 of 3measures to provide adequate compensation, timely payments, rehabilitation and resettlement to

project affected families of the Magadh and Amrapali coal mining:

(i) Compensation for land and assets is provided to the eligible landowners as per provisions of the applicable Act taking into consideration the option given by the landowners. Compensation for structures/ assets on land is provided, in accordance with the schedule of rates of Government of Jharkhand without any depreciation, benefiting the landowner.

(ii) There exists an established grievance redressal mechanism at various mining projects of CCL (including Magadh and Amrapali Projects) as well as at CCL Headquarters where grievances, complaints and representations related to compensation and rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) benefits are redressed promptly. For acquisitions made under the erstwhile Land Acquisition Act, 1894, the cases are settled as per judgements of the competent court/Tribunal.

(iii) Compensation and R&R benefits, including providing employment, wherever admissible, are released immediately upon fulfilment of the prescribed eligibility criteria and completion of required legal and administrative formalities. In few cases, due to unavailability of records of rights, authentication of land record by state authorities, absence of other documents, etc., payment of land compensation may get delayed.

(iv) CCL coordinates with the concerned District Administration, Revenue Authorities and other competent agencies to resolve such issues expeditiously.

(c): Land is acquired under provisions of the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957 (CBA Act, 1957) or the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (RFCTLARR Act, 2013). Calculation of compensation for land, including solatium, rehabilitation and resettlement benefits, and basic amenities & facilities in resettlement sites are provided as per Schedules I, II, and III of RFCTLARR Act 2013 or as per mutually consented agreement under section-14(1) of CBA Act, 1957, whichever is more beneficial. In case of direct purchase of land by the subsidiaries of CIL, the compensation and other benefits are negotiated directly through mutual consent and sale deed is executed in the name of the subsidiary company.

Employment and other R & R benefits to eligible landowners are provided as per the provisions of R&R Policy of 2012 of CIL. Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of CIL follows Odisha R&R policy, 2006. Project affected persons may opt for annuity under the CIL Annuity scheme, 2020 in lieu of employment.

In addition to the above, affected families are provided other admissible benefits such as shifting assistance, skill development under CSR and encouragement to project affected persons to take up non-farm self-employment and jobs with contractor and other support measures.

(d): Possession of land is taken only after payment of due benefits to the eligible project affected families (PAFs) in a phase-wise manner. Payment of compensation is a continuous process, and no cases relating to compensation against possessed land are pending. In few cases, due to unavailability of records of rights, authentication of land record by state authorities, absence of other documents, etc., payment of land compensation may get delayed. In few cases, where Page 2 of 3disputes arise due to apportionment of compensation amount amongst the co-sharers of the land/plot, family issues etc., the amount of compensation is deposited in the Tribunal as per provisions u/s 17(2) of CBA Act, 1957 for disbursement to the eligible landowners.

(e): The following measures are taken by the coal companies to ensure timely compensation, transparent land acquisition, effective rehabilitation and resolution of grievances of project affected families in coal mining areas -

(i) Compensation is disbursed immediately after approval by the competent authority as per the applicable policy and statutory provisions, to the eligible landowners preferably through DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) after completion of statutory formalities including verification of documents.

(ii) To ensure timely disbursement, information regarding payment of compensation and other eligible entitlements is disseminated through emails, text messages, publication of notices in newspapers, and other appropriate communication channels from time to time. Due opportunity is

provided to the interested landowners to submit their claims and objections, wherever applicable.

(iii) Grievances of project affected persons are addressed through continuous engagement with them, regular meetings with village representatives and the local administration under the established grievance redressal mechanism in coordination with the District Administration.

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