Following is an excerpt from a PTI report in Times of India.

"All the six coal-blocks are part of the IB Valley coalfield and only one (Meenakshi-A) is presently in the ‘go’ area, the other five being in ‘no go’ areas. All six blocks will now be considered by FAC ( Forest Advisory Committee) as ‘go’ areas," Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said in a statement.

Giving green signal to clear coal-blocks linked to UMPP, NTPC and OPGC power plants, the Minister said the Power Ministry should give "special focus" on ash disposal and water availability.

Three coal-blocks (Meenakshi-A, Meenakshi-B and Meenakshi Dipside) have been allocated to the 3960MW/4000MW Ultra Mega Power Plant (UMPP).

Coal-blocks (Manoharpur and Manoharpur Dipside) have been allocated to the 1320 MW power plant of Orissa Power Generation Corporation (OPGC). One coal-block (Dulanga) has been allocated to NTPC’s 1600 MW power plant.