Orders soon for NLC to take up Jayamkondam project

Chennai, June 30 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government today decided to issue orders shortly to enable the public sector Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) to undertake the Jayakondam Lignite Power Project, involving an initial investment of Rs 60 crore.

A meeting to review the progress of the project, with state Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy as Chairman, held here, also decided to process the mining lease applications submitted by NLC expeditiously and issue orders, an official release here said.

It was decided in the meeting that NLC would evolve a suitable package in consultation with the Perambalur District Collector on rehabilitation and resettlement of people affected by land acquisition, the release said.

NLC would reimburse Rs 60 crore to the state government towards the initial expenditure incurred by it on the project and the issue relating to cases filed for enhanced compensation, which were pending in the court would be sorted out.

The meeting decided to issue orders for appointment of special revenue staff for land acquisition and other related issues to the project, after receiving proposals from the Collector.

On sharing of power, it said NLC had already approved that 75 per cent of power generated from the project would be allocated to Tamil Nadu. This decision had to be further approved by the Union Ministry of Power, it added.

Today's meeting was attended among others by R Satapathy, Secretary, Energy Department, K S Anandan, Director (Mines), NLC, Hansraj Verma, Chairman, State Electricity Board and Anil Meshram, Perembalur District Collector.

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