The government has targeted to begin coal production from all 34 Schedule-II mines very soon this year.
Post cancellation of 204 coal blocks by the Supreme Court, it directly passed for further auction and allotment in different schedules. Out of total cancelled, about 42 coal mines included in Schedule-II (auction & allotment) under Special Provisions Act, 2015. In which, 37 coal mines were operational and 5 coal mines were likely to commence their production from 31 Mar’15.
The minister further stated that so far, finally 34 coal mines have been auctioned/allotted successfully in Schedule-II. Out of 34 blocks, 17 were auctioned and rest 17 were allotted.
Meanwhile, 17 auctioned blocks include 6 blocks for power and rest for non-power sectors. The government had conducted 6 reverse auctions (power) and 13 forward auctions (Steel, Cement) for the regulated and unregulated sectors respectively.
Out of 17 coal mines auctioned in Schedule-II, 10 have already started mining and rest are under process.
Also, the government allotted all 17 blocks (Schedule-II) to central and state entities, including those PSUs, who had lost their blocks in the SC’s cancellation.
Although, mining lease has been granted for total 31 Schedule-II coal mines, mining operations were granted permission to 12 mines.
The minister said that commencement of mining operations in a coal mine auctioned and allotted needs several clearances/approvals/permissions. This includes Approval of Mining Plan, Approval of Mine Closure Plan, Forest Clearance, Grant of Mining Lease, Consent to Establish under Environment Protection Act, License for use of Explosives, Opening of Escrow Account, Ground Water Clearance etc.
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