Mineral block auctions hit speed bump, only 41 of 78 identified blocks sold

In current fiscal, six mineral blocks have passed auction test, though Notice Inviting Tenders are ongoing for 22 others

Online auctions of non-coal mineral blocks have moved into the slow lane after the initial euphoria following the framing of Mineral Auction Rules, 2015. Of the 78 blocks identified or listed for auctions by states, only 41 have been successfully conducted.

Karnataka has seized the lead in electronic auctions, putting up seven blocks (all iron ore), closely followed by Madhya Pradesh (6). Rajasthan, Odisha and Chhattisgarh have auctioned five mineral blocks apiece apart from Jharkhand (4), Gujarat (3) and Maharashtra (3). 

However, auctions which killed discretionary allotment of leases, have not picked up momentum as expected. Each year, 40-50 mineral