Coalmin deallocates mine in Odisha alloted to 4 PSUs

The Coal Ministry has said it has decided to deallocate a coal block in Odisha jointly allocated to four PSUs, including Odisha Mining Corp and Assam Mineral Development Corp for delays in production.

"The recommendation of IMG (Inter-Ministerial Group) has since been considered and accepted by the government. Accordingly, Mandakini B coal block is deallocated," Coal Ministry said in a letter dated December 5 to the PSUs.

The ministry also said in the letter that Bank Guarantee (BG) to the extent of Rs 48.7 crore i.e. 50 percent of the BG related to the development of the coal block be invoked and deposited with the government.

Other PSUs to which the coal block was alloted are Meghalaya Mineral Development Corp and Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. Mandakini B coal block was alloted in 2007 to the PSUs to meet the coal requirement of their respective proposed power plants.

The IMG was formed in June under the Chairmanship of Additional Secretary in the Coal Ministry to review the progress of development of allocated coal blocks and associated end-use projects and to recommended action, including deallocation in case of delays.

The IMG consists of members from the ministries like Power, Steel and Commerce, among others. The IMG has already concluded the scrutiny of 31 coal blocks allotted to 51 private firms and the government has accepted its recommendations for de-allocation of 13 mines and deduction of bank guarantees of 14 allottees.

A total of 58 mines were issued show-cause notices for their failure to develop blocks within stipulated timeline.