By Our Correspondent/Agencies
BHUBANESWAR/NEW DELHI/ANGUL: With Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand started opposing auction of as many as 41 coal blocks for commercial mining, in an impressive move that brings much cheers for Union Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi, and a setback to Congress and JMM led Governments in these above mentioned States, some 26 Companies so far bought Tender Documents for various Coal Blocks while 10 including few foreign players have shown interest in the visit of mines.
Union Coal Ministry sources said a total of 1,140 entities, including international players, participated in the technical session after the launch of sale of blocks. “Only interested people come there. 1,140 people joined (the technical session). And out of that (1,140 people) more than 50 to 60 people were international players,” Joshi said, according to media reports.
Of the 41 blocks being put for auction for commercial mining, the Centre is withdrawing one mine of Bander in Maharashtra as it falls under eco-sensitive zone.The Centre is also considering the Chhattisgarh government’s request to replace four coal blocks marked for auction for commercial mining.The Jharkhand government has moved the Supreme Court challenging the Centre’s ambitious project launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 18 for virtual auction of coal blocks for commercial mining.
The 9 mines blocks in Odisha including Chendipada I, Chendipada II, Machhakata, Mahanadi, Radhikapur (East), Radhikapur (West), Brahmanbil & Kardabahal, Kuraloi (A) North, and Phuljhari (East & West) were put for auction in Odisha. Most of these Blocks belongs Angul-Talcher coal Belt, close to Satkosia and Similipal Tiger Reserves.
State governments will probably generate more than Rs 20,000 crore per year in royalties from these mines: Odisha (9 mines) – Rs 10,648 crore; Chhattisgarh (9 mines) – Rs. 4,399 crore; Jharkhand (9 mines) – Rs 3,242 crore; Madhya Pradesh (11 mines) – Rs 1,897 crore; and Maharashtra (3 mines) – Rs 432 crore. Jharkhand’s mining royalties have ranged from Rs 4,000 crore to Rs 5,000 crore per year, so these mines are likely to increase royalties by 60-75 per cent for my state.
