Tamil Nadu CM urges exclusion of Cauvery Delta from coal mine auction

06 Apr 2023 CW Team

On March 29, the nominated authority under the Ministry of Coal invited the 17th/7th tranche of auction for coal and lignite under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2005, and the Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Three of the 101 blocks up for auction across the country are in Tamil Nadu.

"Neither the concurrence of the Government of Tamil Nadu nor consultation with the State Government was obtained prior to the tender's flotation." "It is unfortunate that the Ministry of Coal, Government of India, has proceeded unilaterally in such a sensitive matter without consulting the states," Stalin wrote in his letter.

"Given the fact that valuable agricultural lands are involved and Tamil Nadu's food security is at stake, it would be appropriate if the three mining blocks in Tamil Nadu - Vadaseri, Michaelpatti, and East of Sethiathoppe - proposed for auction in the 7th/17th Tranche of Auction, are excluded from the auction process by the issue of a necessary corrigendum," he added.

Michaelpatti is located in the Ariyalur district's Udayarpalayam Taluk, east of Sethiathope in the Cuddalore district's Bhuvanagiri Taluk, and Vadaseri in the Thanjavur district's Orathanadu Taluk. The Protected Agricultural Zone Development Act of Tamil Nadu, 2020 includes Vadaseri and East of Sethiathope, while the Michaelpatti Block is in a major paddy growing area adjacent to a very fertile part of the Cauvery Delta.

He stated that Section 4(1) of the Act states that "no one shall undertake any new project or new activity specified in the Second Schedule in the protected agricultural zone." The Second Schedule prohibits "exploration, drilling, and extraction of oil and natural gas, including coal-bed methane, shale gas, and other similar hydrocarbons."

Also Read
Berger’s contribution for longer durability of Indian Railway coaches
Ministry of Mines announces record number of mineral blocks auctions

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting that three coal blocks in Tamil Nadu's Cauvery Delta area be excluded from the Centre government's recent coal bidding process. The affected coal blocks are located east of Sethiathope, Michaelpatti, and Vadaseri. On March 29, the nominated authority under the Ministry of Coal invited the 17th/7th tranche of auction for coal and lignite under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2005, and the Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957. Three of the 101 blocks up for auction across the country are in Tamil Nadu. Neither the concurrence of the Government of Tamil Nadu nor consultation with the State Government was obtained prior to the tender's flotation. It is unfortunate that the Ministry of Coal, Government of India, has proceeded unilaterally in such a sensitive matter without consulting the states, Stalin wrote in his letter. Given the fact that valuable agricultural lands are involved and Tamil Nadu's food security is at stake, it would be appropriate if the three mining blocks in Tamil Nadu - Vadaseri, Michaelpatti, and East of Sethiathoppe - proposed for auction in the 7th/17th Tranche of Auction, are excluded from the auction process by the issue of a necessary corrigendum, he added. Michaelpatti is located in the Ariyalur district's Udayarpalayam Taluk, east of Sethiathope in the Cuddalore district's Bhuvanagiri Taluk, and Vadaseri in the Thanjavur district's Orathanadu Taluk. The Protected Agricultural Zone Development Act of Tamil Nadu, 2020 includes Vadaseri and East of Sethiathope, while the Michaelpatti Block is in a major paddy growing area adjacent to a very fertile part of the Cauvery Delta. He stated that Section 4(1) of the Act states that no one shall undertake any new project or new activity specified in the Second Schedule in the protected agricultural zone. The Second Schedule prohibits exploration, drilling, and extraction of oil and natural gas, including coal-bed methane, shale gas, and other similar hydrocarbons. Also Read Berger’s contribution for longer durability of Indian Railway coaches Ministry of Mines announces record number of mineral blocks auctions

Infrastructure Urban

30 May 2026

Panasonic Showcases Connected Display Solutions

Panasonic Life Solutions India showcased its integrated display, projection, broadcast and communication technologies at Panasonic Tech Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Hosted through its System Solutions Division, the two-day event highlighted connected technology solutions for education, healthcare, retail, transportation, corporate offices and entertainment.The summit, themed ‘Turning Technology into Value’, featured experience-led zones covering QSR, retail, transit, corporate offices, healthcare, education, security, projection, home theatre and professional displays. Panasonic also introduc..

Infrastructure Transport

30 May 2026

Kapsch to Deliver India’s First C-ITS Project

"Kapsch TrafficCom will deliver India’s first Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems project on a key expressway near New Delhi. The project will be implemented with Superwave Communication And Infrasolution Limited to demonstrate how connected mobility can improve road safety and traffic efficiency.The pilot will use real-time connectivity and AI-enabled situational awareness to support road users, especially in high-risk areas such as temporary work zones. Drivers will receive alerts on roadworks, maintenance vehicles, hazardous locations, traffic queues and temporary virtual signage di..

Infrastructure Urban

30 May 2026

Eurobond Net Profit Rises 44 Per Cent

Euro Panel Products, the parent company of Eurobond, reported a 44.13 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit for FY25–26. The company’s revenue from operations grew 18.91 per cent to Rs 503.20 crore, compared to Rs 423.18 crore in the previous financial year.The company’s full-year EBITDA stood at Rs 56.67 crore, marking a 31.82 per cent increase. Profit after tax rose to Rs 26.56 crore, while net worth increased 20.15 per cent to Rs 160.07 crore. Earnings per share for the year stood at Rs 10.84.Divyam Rajesh Shah, Whole Time Director and CFO, Euro Panel Products, said the company’s..