Amid concerns of the economic slowdown, the government today launched the eighth round of New Exploration Licensing Policy (Nelp-VIII) offering 70 blocks, the highest so far. The government is also offering 10 blocks under the fourth round of coal-bed methane (CBM-IV) exploration policy for exploration of gas.
Links:
[1] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/news/nelp-viii-offers-all-time-high-70-blocks
[2] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/newspaper/business-standard-new-delhi
[3] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/energy
[4] http://admin.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/category/thesaurus/natural-gas-exploration