India: Ministry allots 38 Coal Blocks to PSUs

After the successful completion of Schedule II & III Coal block auction, the Ministry allotted 38 blocks to central & state entities on 24 Mar’15.The blocks were allotted to companies such as NTPC, SAIL, SCCL, GSECL etc.

Indian government had commenced the allotment process of 38 coal blocks on 22 Jan’15 with published notice in newspapers. Yesterday, the government allotted all blocks to central & state entities including those PSUs who had lost their blocks in SC’s cancellation. With the end of the allotment, almost all state-owned entities got back their own coal blocks.

Chhattisgarh based Gare Palma Sector II, with 768 MnT geological reserves, was the most preferred block. It attracted maximum number of applications from government power companies and was allotted to Maharashtra State Power Generation Company. Another rich Coal block in Chhattisgarh, Gare Palma Sector III, was allotted to Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company.

“The government had planned earlier to allot 43 Coal blocks but finally allotted only 38 blocks as some coal blocks received no applications”, said the officials.

Even though the Barjora (North) Coal mine situated in West Bengal did not receive any application, it was put up for allocation and was allotted to West Bengal Power Development Corporation.

West Bengal Power Development Corporation got six mines, five of which it used to own previously as well. SAIL received its Coal block back which it is keeping for end use of Steel production. NTPC was allotted total four blocks, of which two were previously owned by the company.