By IANS,
New Delhi : The Coal ministry Thursday said it had decided to take away mining rights for various coal blocks from companies, including state-run thermal power major NTPC, after a review showed that these firms had been slow in implementing their projects.
“After the review of progress of various captive blocks, ministry of coal had issued show cause notices to 84 coal block allocatees and 4 lignite block allocattees,” an official statement said.
“Based on responses of the allocattees, the review committee under chairmanship of special secretary (Coal) recommended de-allocation of two coal blocks allotted to private companies, 12 coal blocks allotted to government companies and one lignite block allotted to a private company,” it added.
The government companies, which will be stripped of their rights to mine the coal blocks include NTPC Ltd, Bihar Rajya Khanij Bikas Nigam Limited, Jharkhand State Electricity Board and Damodar Valley Corporation.
The private companies, who will see their blocks de-allocated are Shree Baidyanath Ayurved Limited and Bhatia International Limited and V.S. Lignite.
The coal ministry’s committee also recommended deduction of bank guarantees in the case of 15 private companies for failing to commence production as per the letter of allotment.
“The committee has also recommended issue of a warning to 29 coal block allocattees and three lignite block allocattees for bringing their blocks into production at the earliest,” said the ministry.
“No action has been recommended against 20 coal blocks which fall in the ‘No-Go-Area’ or are near wildlife corridors.”