The Indian coal ministry has cancelled 10 coal blocks allocated to a total of 18 companies, on recommendations from a high-level inter ministerial panel. The companies due to receive the blocks included Adani Power, Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL), Rungta Mines and a joint venture between Tata and South African energy major Sasol.
Eight of these blocks are part of the 61 captive coal acreages allocated to private companies after 2005. The Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) reviewed the blocks on 7th – 8th February.
“The recommendations of the IMG have been considered and accepted by the competent authority. The coal block allocated to your company is de-allocated forthwith. Your company shall not be eligible for allocation of coal block in lieu of the de-allocated block,” the ministry explained in cancellation letters issued to the companies.
The cancelled blocks include two coal-to-liquid (CTL) blocks:
- Ramchandi Promotional - allocated to JSPL.
- North of Arkhapal-Srirampur - held by a consortium of Tata Group companies and Sasol.
Edited from various sources by Katie Woodward