Bidding for Coal Blocks
With a view to bringing in more transparency in the bidding for coal blocks, it is proposed to introduce auction through competitive bidding as a selection process in place of the captive dispensation through Screening Committee route for allocation of coal blocks for captive mining. For this purpose, the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2008 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha. It was referred to the Standing Committee on Steel and Coal for detailed examination. The Standing Committee submitted its report on 19.02.2009 to the Parliament and made certain recommendations and suggested having further consultations with the stakeholders and State Governments. Minister of State (I/C) (Coal) held a meeting on 10th August, 2009 with the State Ministers of Mining and Geology of coal and lignite bearing States. During the meeting, the State representatives supported the proposed arrangement in the Amendment Bill. Based on these inputs, the Action Taken Note to the recommendations of the Standing Committee in the form of a Cabinet Note was placed before the Cabinet for passage of the Bill. The Cabinet approved the Note on 28.01.2010. The Minister of Mines has moved the motion on 18.02.2010 for passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2008 in the Budget Session of Parliament, 2010.
The system of competitive bidding shall be adopted only for the blocks to be allocated to private companies for captive use. The allocation of coal blocks to Government companies under the Government company dispensation or to power projects awarded through tariff based bidding process would not fall under the purview of new system of competitive bidding and as such there will be no adverse implications for Government owned steel and power companies.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Coal (Independent Charge) Shri Sriprakash Jaiswal, in a written reply to a question the Rajya Sabha today.
With a view to bringing in more transparency in the bidding for coal blocks, it is proposed to introduce auction through competitive bidding as a selection process in place of the captive dispensation through Screening Committee route for allocation of coal blocks for captive mining. For this purpose, the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2008 was introduced in the Rajya Sabha. It was referred to the Standing Committee on Steel and Coal for detailed examination. The Standing Committee submitted its report on 19.02.2009 to the Parliament and made certain recommendations and suggested having further consultations with the stakeholders and State Governments. Minister of State (I/C) (Coal) held a meeting on 10th August, 2009 with the State Ministers of Mining and Geology of coal and lignite bearing States. During the meeting, the State representatives supported the proposed arrangement in the Amendment Bill. Based on these inputs, the Action Taken Note to the recommendations of the Standing Committee in the form of a Cabinet Note was placed before the Cabinet for passage of the Bill. The Cabinet approved the Note on 28.01.2010. The Minister of Mines has moved the motion on 18.02.2010 for passage of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) (Amendment) Bill, 2008 in the Budget Session of Parliament, 2010.
The system of competitive bidding shall be adopted only for the blocks to be allocated to private companies for captive use. The allocation of coal blocks to Government companies under the Government company dispensation or to power projects awarded through tariff based bidding process would not fall under the purview of new system of competitive bidding and as such there will be no adverse implications for Government owned steel and power companies.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Coal (Independent Charge) Shri Sriprakash Jaiswal, in a written reply to a question the Rajya Sabha today.
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