Govt to auction 8 coal blocks from Schedule III mines in January

The coal blocks to be auctioned in January include Brahmapuri and Suliyari in Madhya Pradesh, Bundu and Gondulpura in Jharkhand, Gondkhari and Khappa & Extension in Maharashtra, and Jaganathpur A and Jaganathpur B in West Bengal.

The Government on Thursday announced that it would auction eight coal blocks from schedule III mines for non-regulated sectors like iron and steel, cement and captive power plants in January.

Coal Secretary Anil Swarup said that most of schedule II mines are likely to start production in the next two to three months as all issues, including necessary clearances, stamp duty, handing over of assets, etc, have fortunately been resolved with the intervention of the prime minister.

The coal blocks to be auctioned in January include Brahmapuri and Suliyari in Madhya Pradesh, Bundu and Gondulpura in Jharkhand, Gondkhari and Khappa & Extension in Maharashtra, and Jaganathpur A and Jaganathpur B in West Bengal.

These mines together have reserves totalling 1,143.42 mt and their peak rated capacity stands at 12.86 mt. 

Out of the 204 coal blocks cancelled by the Supreme Court last year, the Government has managed to dispose off more than 100 mines through a combination of competitive bids (for private players) and allocation (for public sector units)