The relocation issue of NTPC's proposed North Karanpura power project in Jharkhand to another site in the state is likely to be discussed early next January by the Cabinet, according to a top Coal Ministry official. The Coal Ministry had earlier this month moved a Cabinet note on the issue of relocation of the power plant as the site first proposed falls under potential coal-bearing area.    

The Coal Ministry is waiting for the comments of different ministries, after which a Cabinet committee is expected to take it up.    

This might happen in the first week of January itself, the official said. On December 13, the government decided to merge the Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs after deciding to constitute the Cabinet Committee on Investment.    

The Ministry of Coal has circulated a note in this regard to various ministries seeking their comments. The note will be later sent to a Cabinet Committee. The Coal Ministry said in the note taht the 1,980 mw project currently proposed at North Karanpura coalfields should not be allowed on the grounds that it is a potential coal bearing area with an estimated reserve of six billion tonnes. It added the alternate site is proposed near Kanhakala village in Jharkhand.