Cancelled Coal Blocks may be Returned to NTPC: Power Minister

Sunday, July 10, 2011

New Delhi, July 10 (IANS): Coal mining blocks which were taken away from NTPC because of the state-run company's inability to start mining operations within the stipulated time may be allocated back to the company very soon, Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has said.

In an interview to national broadcaster Doordarshan, Shinde said: "I have brought to the prime minister's notice this matter and he created a GoM (group of ministers) under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee."

"The matter is under discussion and a decision on reallocating the coal blocks will be taken soon," said Shinde.

The coal ministry had cancelled the allotment of five coal blocks, including three of NTPC, charging the companies with not being being serious in undertaking exploration despite their being allotted a long time back.

NTPC had, in turn, accused the coal ministry of being biased against it and said it had completed more work in the blocks allotted to it than any other private firm had done in their respective mines.

Answering a question on the lack of coordination between various ministries in the government, Shinde said: "The growth of the country requires better coordination between different ministries."