Chapter II

Provisions Relating to Conservation of Coal and Development of Coal Mines

4. Power of Central Government in respect of conservation of coal and development of coal mines.-

(1) The Central Government may, for the purpose of conservation of coal and for the development of coal mines, exercise such powers and take, or cause to be taken, such measures as it may deem necessary or proper or as may be prescribed.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, the Central Government may, by order in writing addressed to the owner, agent or manager of a coal mine, require him to take such measures as it may think necessary for the purpose of conservation of coal or for development of coal mines, including-

(a) in any coal mine, stowing for safety, or

(b) the prevention of any factor which may adversely affect the conservation of coal or development of coal mine, or

(c) washing of coal with a view to beneficiating and reducing the ash-contents of coal.

1[(3) The Central Government may, if it is satisfied after consideration of all the facts and circumstances that the recovery of the cost of measures, if any, undertaken by it under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) in relation to a coal mine is justified, recover such cost from the owner, agent or manager of the coal mine, either wholly or partly, in the same manner as an arrear of land revenue.]