Govt reviews progress of 100 coal, lignite blocks

The government today reviewed the progress of over 100 coal and lignite blocks allocated to companies, including Hindalco, Essar Power, Jaiprakash Associates, Adani and Power Finance Corporation for captive use, a Coal Ministry official said.

"On the second day of the two-day meeting, the government reviewed the development of coal blocks in various states like 0rissa, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh among others, where blocks have been allocated to Hindalco, Essar Power, Adani Jaiprakash Associates and Power Finance Corporation and others," the official said.

During the meeting, the Coal Ministry also reviewed the progress of lignite blocks in the state of Rajasthan and Gujarat allocated to companies, including Binani Cement and DCM Shriram Consolidated.

Yesterday, the government had reviewed the progress of coal mines allocated to companies including Tata Steel, Coal India, SAIL, NTPC and JSW Steel, for captive use in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.

The progress of coal blocks allocated to others including Jindal Power, Jindal Steel & Power, BALCO and MMTC was also reviewed during the meeting.

Cracking down on those who were sitting idle on blocks allocated for captive use, the Coal Ministry had last year cancelled the allotment to DVC, Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation, Tenughat Vidyut Nigam, Bihar State Mineral Development Corporation and Jharkhand State Electricity Board.