Govt extends deadline of applications for allotting coal mines

The Ministry of Coal has extended the last date for receipt of applications for allotting 17 coal mines to public sector firms.

The Ministry has extended the last date of receipt of applications for allocation of 17 coal blocks to the Government companies/undertakings to 8 February 2013 from 30 January 2013. The coal blocks have estimated reserves of 8.45 billion tonne. The blocks included Jilga-Barpali, Baisi, Banai, Bhalmunda, Kente and Kerwa in Chhattisgarh; Gowa, Pachwara South and Kalyanpur-Badalpara in Jharkhand; Mahajanwadi in Maharashtra; Kundanali-Laburi, Sarapal-Nuapara, Tentuloi, Chandrabila and Brahamani in Orissa; Gandbahera-Uhhenia block in Madhya Pradesh and Deocha-Pachami-Dewanganj-Harinsingha in West Bengal.

It had invited proposals from PSUs for allotment of mines to them, mostly for captive power plants in December 2012. The process of allocation of mines were initiated under the amended provisions of MMDR (Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation) Act and Rules framed thereunder. In the first round, the Government proposes to allocate coal blocks to the government companies, central and state, for specific end use (power) and coal mining.