The Ministry of Coal (MoC), on November 18, 2025, issued a communication seeking comments and suggestions on a proposed revision of the notification procedure under Section 7 of the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957, particularly relating to land acquisition notifications issued by coal PSUs.
The Ministry has observed that many disputes before tribunals under Section 14 of the CBA Act pertain to land titles, largely because existing Section 7 notifications mention only boundaries and plot/khasra numbers without naming the title-holders. With improved digital land records, GIS mapping, and verification systems, MoC proposes that Section 7 notifications should henceforth include plot-wise details and names of recorded title-holders, thereby freezing titles at the notification stage and improving transparency, consistency, and efficiency across land-acquiring entities, including through the Coal Land Acquisition and Management Portal (CLAMP).
Before implementing this change, MoC has invited comments/suggestions from coal PSUs, concerned State Governments, and other stakeholders. Responses are to be furnished within 15 days of receipt of the communication by e-mail and the initiative aims to make land acquisition in the coal sector more transparent and people-friendly.
[Notification No. 43015/18/2025-LAIR]
