Coal news and updates

Odisha earns only Rs 12 crore from 3 coal block auctions

Contrary to the Centre's claim that the state would earn huge revenue from the auction of coal blocks, it has so far given only Rs 12.52 crore to Odisha in the first phase of the auctions.

"Though the Centre had estimated that Odisha would receive coal revenue worth Rs 45,630 crore in 25 to 30 years, the state has not received any definite guidelines about the source of generation of this money," steel and mines minister Prafulla Mallik said in a written reply to the assembly on Friday.

So far, the Centre has auctioned three coal blocks in the state. These are Talabira-I for GMR Chhattisgarh Energy Limited, Mandakini for Mandakini Exploration and Mining Limited and Utkal-C for Monnet Power Company Limited.

The other coal blocks identified for auction are Mahanadi, Machhakata, Utkal-E, Utkal-D, Chendipada, Chendipada-II, Utkal B-1, Utkal B-2, Jamkhani, Radhikapur (West), Radhikapur (East) and Bijahan, Mallik said.

The Centre has allocated two coal blocks — Manoharpur and Dipside Manoharpur — in favour of Odisha Coal and Power Ltd through the nomination route. The state government has demanded two more blocks — Chendipada and Chendipada-II — for Odisha Thermal Power Corporation Ltd.

Replying to another query, the mines minister said according to the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act, 2015, the Odisha government has extended the leases of 34 mines on the basis of recommendations made by a panel headed by the development commissioner. "Of these 34 mines, 24 lessees have signed lease deeds to start production. It helped the state government earn revenue worth Rs 899 crore," said director of mines Deepak Mohanty.

source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com