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

10 Mar 2026

ABB to Invest Rs 6.25 Billion to Expand India Manufacturing

ABB recently announced plans to invest approximately Rs 6.25 billion ($75 million) in India during 2026 to expand its manufacturing footprint and research and development capabilities. The investment follows more than $35 million spent in 2025 and reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening its ‘local-for-local’ strategy in the country.The investment will support ABB’s Electrification, Motion and Automation businesses and expand manufacturing capacity for infrastructure sectors such as renewable energy, metro rail, data centres and industrial applications. Approximately 300..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

Six WOLFF Cranes Handle 60,000 m³ Concrete for German Hospital

Six WOLFF tower cranes are playing a key role in constructing a new hospital complex in Memmingen, Germany, supporting large-scale material handling for the project. The facility is being built on a 7.7-hectare site and will feature six floors, around 480 beds and a gross floor area exceeding 75,000 sq m.Building shell works began recently in February 2025. One WOLFF 6531.12 Cross crane supported early site preparation before being dismantled in autumn 2025, while five remaining cranes continue operations. Over an average deployment period of 16 months, the cranes are expected to move approxim..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

REC Funds Rs 115.6 Million CSR Support for Bihar Eye Hospital

REC recently committed Rs 115.6 million under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for the procurement of clinical and non-clinical equipment at Sankara Eye Hospital in Saharsa, Bihar. The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised eye care services in the region.A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was recently signed between Pradeep Fellows, Executive Director (CSR), REC Limited, and Wg Cdr V. Shankar (Retd), Trustee and Executive Director of Sankara Eye Hospital, at the REC office in the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi.The support is expecte..