Groundwork on for speedy coal block auction: Minister

Moving towards a speedy auction of coal blocks, the government has circulated a note inviting comments from the concerned ministries, the coal ministry said here Monday.

The note has been prepared on the basis of the report by consultants CRISIL Infrastructure Advisory which was appointed by the government "to suggest the methodology for fixing floor price/reserve price, model tender document and draft agreement to be entered into with the successful bidders," Minister of State for Coal Pratik Prakashbapu Patil said in a written reply in parliament.

The CRISIL report has already been scrutinised by an Inter-Ministerial Committee comprising of various stakeholders including the finance ministry, the minister said.

Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said earlier this month that the auction of coal blocks is likely in the next two months.

According to coal ministry source, it has started groundwork to auction coal blocks after receiving provisional clearance from the environment and forests ministry.