President re-promulgates coal ordinance

The govt had in Oct promulgated special ordinance for re-allocation of coal blocks cancelled by the SC

Don't want to miss the best from Business Standard?

President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday approved the Coal Ordinance (Special Provisions) Act, 2013. Initiating the coal block re-allocation process, without waiting for the Rajya Sabha approval, the ministry of coal would issue 24 tenders on December 27.

The government, in October, had promulgated special ordinance for re-allocation of coal blocks, cancelled by the Supreme Court in its judgment in September. The apex court had set a deadline of March 31 for reallocation of 42 producing coal mines through the bidding process. Under the Indian Constitution, the government is empowered to enact a law through an ordinance signed by the President, without going through the legislative process.

The ordinance will address issues related to coal supply to companies of central and state governments, as well as private companies in the cement, steel and power businesses. It will also address valuation of the land to be taken over from those who have lost coal blocks.