Coal block defaulters to face penalties

Coal production from the auctioned 29 mines stood at 15.32 million tonnes during 2016-17

The ministry of coal is devising methods to penalise coal block operators falling behind targeted production and revenue payment to states.

Government officials said a committee has been formed under the secretary of coal ministry and with chief secretaries of mine-bearing states as members to decide the modus operandi to clear bureaucratic hurdles related to land, forest clearances, etc.

According to the coal ministry, of the 34 auctioned or allotted mines, vesting order has been issued for 29. Of these, 15 have started production of close to 15.32 million tonnes. “Of 17 mines allocated to private/public companies through auctions, 12 have started