Applications recommended for allotment of 14 coal blocks

The Power Ministry and the CEA have recommended only 126 applications for allocation of 14 coal blocks to power PSUs, taking ahead the process of mine allotments to government companies.

"Out of 235 valid applications for allocation of 14 coal blocks for power sector, Ministry of Power and Central Electricity Authority (CEA) have recommended only 126 applications after verifying required parameters," the official statement said.

These applications are from 25 government firms from 15 states and central public sector undertakings (PSUs), the statement added.

The 14 coal blocks are spread from six states; five are in  Chhattisgarh, two in Jharkhand, one each in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal and four in Odisha.

The statement further said that during the meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), under the Chairmanship of Coal Secretary, held here today the status of the exercise carried out in the coal ministry in evaluating the applications was explained in detail to the state governments.

State representatives were asked to indicate priority of the proposed thermal power projects (TPPs).

"States which required clarification from Ministry of Power and Central Electricity Authority due to specific reasons were asked to revert back in next two days to avoid delay," statement said.

The next meeting of IMC is proposed to be held shortly.

Initiating the process of allocation of coal mines, the government had earlier invited proposals from PSUs for allotting 17 blocks to them, including 14 for captive power plants.