Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affaris Pralhad Joshi urged the public sector undertakings (PSUs) to compete with the private sector in coal mine auction and early production. Addressing the National Coal Conclave & Exhibition-2022 here today, the minister pointed out that despite unprecedented increase in international prices, Coal India Ltd (CIL) did not increase domestic coal price and stepped up coal proudction substantially in the recent past and managed to overcome coal shortage faced by thermal power plants.
Joshi said that 64 coal mines have been suceessfully auctioned so far under commercial auctioning launched in 2020. The minsiter added that all efforts are in full swing to stop import of thermal coal by 2024 and inceventives are being given for early production of coal under commerial auctioning. Highlighting healthy performacne by CIL, the minister said that captive mines are likely to produce 125 million ton (MT) coal this year.
During the conclave, the Ministry of Coal has executed agreements with 10 successful bidders of coal mines under sale of coal of 15th tranche and second attempt of 13th and 14th tranche. The mines for which Coal Mine/ Block Production and Development Agreements executed are Kasta (East), Marki Barka, Barra, Koyagudem Block III, Maiki North, Alaknanda, Basantpur, Bandha North, Marki Mangli IV and Jitpur. The successful bidders include Jitusol Developers Private Limited, Birla Corporation Limited, Bharat Aluminium Company Limited, Auro Coal Private Limited, Maiki South Mining Private Limited, Rungta Sons Private Limited, Gangaramchak Mining Private Limited, Jaiprakash Power Ventures Limited, Sobhagya Mercantile Limited and Terri Mining Private Limited.
