Coal ministry likely to cancel the allocation of coal blocks to private firms

20 Jul 2011 Evaluate

The Ministry of Coal is likely to cancel the allocations of coal block to private developers, as the development of the coal block is being delayed by private developers. This coal blocks being jointly developed by private developers -- world’s largest steel maker Arcelor Mittal, Reliance Energy, Hyderabad-based Lanco Group, GMR Energy, Navbharat Power and Vedanta subsidiary Sterlite Energy.

In January 2008, Ministry of Coal had allocated the Rampia and Dip Side of Rampia coal block, located in Mahanadi Coalfields in Orissa, to these six private developers to meet the coal requirements of their captive end use plants; on the condition that the production of coal to be commenced by January 2011. The coal ministry is annoyed due to delay in development of the coal block.

“Allocates are hereby warned and directed to develop the block immediately. Any further delay would lead to necessary action including de-allocation of the block,” Ministry of Coal cited in the communication to private developers.

In past two review meetings held in June 2009 and July 2010, Coal Ministry noted that private developers had not taken any serious efforts for the development for the coal block regardless of repeated assurances. The coal ministry had also issued two showcause notices to private developers in September 2009 and July 2010 for delay in development of coal block. Ministry of coal was not convinced by the reason for delays given by the private firms in their reply to the notices.

The coal ministry issued similar warning letters to the public sector company Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation (MMTC) for delay in development of Gomia coal block and Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corp for Patratu and Robodih coal blocks. Coal Ministry warned Jharkhand State Electricity Board and Bihar State Mineral Development Corporation for delays in the progress of Urma Paharitola block in Jharkhand.

Earlier in May, a ministerial committee had suggested to issue warnings to 29 coal and 3 lignite blocks holding companies. The committee also had recommended cancelling 14 coal blocks and one lignite block allocated to six public sector units, including NTPC and three private companies, for failing in development of coal blocks. This year, government had cancelled allocation of coal blocks to many firms including public sector firm NTPC, Damodar Valley Corporation and Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation.

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