No dispute between coal and power ministries over 7 mines: Govt

These seven explored coal blocks in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are part of 204 coal mines cancelled by SC

The government on Monday said coal and power ministries are not at loggerheads over seven coal blocks identified for allotment to power plants through tariff-based bidding.

"There is no dispute between Ministries of Coal and Power with regard to allocation of 7 coal mines identified for allotment to power projects to be awarded on tariff-based bidding," Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal said in a reply to the Rajya Sabha.

These seven explored coal blocks in Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand are part of 204 coal mines cancelled by the Supreme Court and are included in Schedule I of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, the minister said.

The power ministry, he said, has been requested to intimate suitability of these seven coal mines for power projects being planned to be awarded on tariff-based bidding.

Out of these seven, one coal mine Tubed, which is located in Jharkhand, has been alloted to the Damodar Valley Corporation on the recommendation of the power ministry, the minister said.

"Environment and forest clearances are to be obtained by the allocatee company themselves," he said, adding that there is no proposal at present to withdraw these coal mines.

The authority for allotment of coal blocks rests with the coal ministry.