Begin mining bidding process: Panel to govt

Early development of 54 identified mines is necessary to boost the country’s coal production; a Parliamentary panel said on Monday and asked the Coal Ministry to begin allocating mines through the bidding route without any time loss.

“The Committee is constrained to observe that no progress has been made for the development of identified coal blocks for allocation through bidding system,” the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal and Steel has said in its latest report. “The early development of identified coal blocks is imperative to boost coal production in the country,” it said, adding, “The Committee would like the ministry to go in for allocation of coal blocks through bidding system .” The Coal Ministry has identified 54 mines for allocation. Of these, 16 are earmarked for power sector, 16 for government firms, and 22 for allocation through auction route, it added. “The detailed drilling in respect of 12 blocks is completed.  However, for the remaining 42 blocks CMPDIL  has been asked to prepare a plan for exploration,” the report said.