Maharashtra minister meets Baghel, seeks coal block clearances

Nitin Raut said the block is crucial for coal supply for power generation in Maharashtra and urged early completion of all the formalities

Published on: Apr 19, 2022, 09:38:15 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

RAIPUR: Maharashtra minister Nitin Raut met chief minister Bhupesh Baghel on Monday and sought clearances for a coal block allotted to Maharashtra State Power Generation Company in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh.

Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel. (ANI)

In a statement, the Chhattisgarh government said Baghel assured Raut of full support as early as possible.

Raut said the coal block is crucial for coal supply for power generation in Maharashtra and urged early completion of all the formalities. He also sought forest diversion and the state government’s recommendation for the block.

Activists have opposed the project and claimed tribal villages will impacted. “It will affect around 5,000 people. When Bhupesh Baghel was in the Opposition, he opposed the project,” said Sudeip Shrivastava, an environmental lawyer.

On April 6, the Chhattisgarh government granted the final approval for the non-forestry use of land and mining at Parsa to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited.

Activists have claimed around 700 people will be displaced and around 840 acres of dense forest destroyed due to the Parsa project.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

Check India news real-time updates, latest news on Hindustan Times and more across India.