Govt allots 38 mines to state, central PSUs.

The government recently allotted 38 mines to central and state public sector units including power major NTPC, DVC and steel giant SAIL. The move comes on the heels of the auction of 33 coal blocks in two tranches to private companies with the government garnering over Rs. 2 lakh crore, surpassing CAG's earlier estimates of losses of Rs. 1.86 lakh crore on allotment without auction.

'Government has alloted 38 coal mines to central and state PSUs,' coal secretary Anil Swarup said. As per the original plan, the government had to allot 43 mines but it came out with the list of only 38 mines as there were no applications for some coal blocks, officials said.

All the blocks allotted are for the power sector, barring one Sitanala mine given to SAIL. As per the government list, out of the 38 blocks, a maximum of 8 blocks - Barjora, Barjora (North), Gangaramchak & Gangaramchak Bhadulia, Tara East & Tara West, Pachwara North and Kasta East have fallen in the bag of West Bengal Power Development Corporation.


TOI