Ahir alleges 2 ‘Coal To Liquid’ project allocated in 2009 without panel nod

RPower awarded three captive coal mines for its 4,000-Mw Sasan UMPP -Moher, Moher Amlohri extension and Chhatrasal

Reliance Power Ltd on Monday announced it had commenced coal production at two of its Sasan power project’s captive coal mines—Moher and Moher Amlohri extension. The company did not divulge any details on the amount of initial coal production. The announcement comes on the same day when the government decided to ask the companies holding 58 blocks to present their case before an inter-ministerial group later this week.

Had written to ministry in Nov 2011 to cancel blocks if cos fail to meet output deadlines

IMG to seek investment details from 58 mine operators

Underlining the need for ramping up coal production to meet the growing domestic demand, the Inter-Ministerial Group on PPP in coal mining, comprising the Planning Commission, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) and the Coal Ministry, has strongly pressed for Public-Private Partnership mode for mining and evacuation of coal from Coal India Limited-owned mines.

At a meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) held recently, the DEA pointed out that there were 180 coal blocks available with CIL, of which some could be given to private sector operators on the PPP basis for mining.

To check the adverse impact of a possible cancellation of the coal blocks allotted to companies that have failed to fulfil the norms for making them operational by March 2013 and prevent a “fuel crisis,” the government proposes to hand over all cancelled blocks to Coal India Limited (CIL).

This view has emerged even as the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) on coal blocks met on Monday to take a decision on the 58 blocks that have been issued show-cause notices and advisories.

Government on Monday ruled out cancellation of any coal block allocation till the inter- ministerial group (IMG), constituted to review the issue, submits its report.

“We have constituted the IMG, which is reviewing 58 coal blocks. It has been asked to submit its report in a time-bound manner and latest by September 15. After that we will decide,” Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal told reporters. He added that “the (number of) coal blocks which have been reviewed and issued show-cause notices so far is 58. Of these 58, 20 are such which have been reviewed by the CAG”.

Govt has already issued notices to 58 blocks: 33 allotted to govt firms & 25 to pvt entities

Amid the raging row over coal block allocation, as many as 90 mines face the threat of de-allocation as these are under scanner for non-production. Of these, 58 coal blocks are in the immediate focus with an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) set to decide their fate today. The government has already issued de-allocation notices to these 58 blocks - 33 allotted to government firms and 25 to private entities.

7 Allocations During NDA Tenure In List.

Committee on natural resources punctures PM’s claims on mine allocation
VIKAS DHOOT NEW DELHI