Coal news and updates

MoC hauls up seven more companies

January 6: Seven companies, including National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) and Tata Steel Limited, were hauled up by the Ministry of Coal (MoC) on January 3, 2014.

Tata Steel Limited and Adhunik Thermal Energy Limited were asked to "show cause" as "no significant development" has been made with regard to the Ganeshpur coal block allocated to these two companies. Utkal Coal Limited too was served a "show cause notice" over "unsatisfactory progress" of Utkal-C coal block.

Meanwhile, NTPC was asked to "explain" the reason for the slow development of Keradari coal block. This is the second time in 10 days the company was served notice by the ministry seeking explanation.

DVC, Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation and Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation too were asked to "explain" on the slow progress of Khagra Joydev coal block, Morga II coal block and Tara coal block respectively.

All companies were given 20 days from the date of issue (January 3, 2014) of the letters, seeking "the reasons for slow progress as well as efforts made in development of the coal blocks, failing which the MoC would presume that the companies have no explanation to offer and action as appropriate would be taken.