RAS question
The Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) is related to:
Correct answer: (D) Exploration and production of oil and gas.
The Open Acreage Licensing Policy is related to the exploration and production of oil and gas under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy.
Explanation
OALP is part of the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy, the framework approved for India’s hydrocarbon sector. A PIB release lists open acreage policy as one of HELP’s four main facets, along with a uniform licence for exploration and production of all forms of hydrocarbons and a revenue-sharing model. In practical terms, open acreage lets exploration and production companies choose blocks from the designated area for oil and gas activity. A general land-allocation policy would cover a different domain, while OALP is tied specifically to hydrocarbon exploration and production. OALP replaced the earlier New Exploration Licensing Policy and allows companies to select exploration areas through the year.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Agricultural land allocation concerns farming land, whereas OALP is framed under HELP for hydrocarbon exploration and production.
- (B) Coal mining is governed separately; OALP concerns oil and gas blocks, not coal extraction.
- (C) Forest conservation deals with protection and regulation of forests, while OALP is an energy-sector licensing policy for oil and gas exploration.
Concept
RAS Indian Economy preparation includes energy-sector policy reforms and policy acronyms linked to their sectors. Petroleum-sector licensing belongs to a different policy area from agriculture, coal and environment policy.