By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: The Supreme Court Tuesday issued notice to the Centre on Jharkhand government’s pleas challenging decision to auction coal mines for commercial mining.A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices R Subhash Reddy and A S Bopanna gave the Centre four weeks to reply on the writ petition and an original suit filed by the Jharkhand government questioning the decision to auction coal blocks for commercial mining.The state government has alleged that the announcement was made by the Centre “unilaterally” without its consultation.
Meanwhile, the Union Coal Ministry said last date for purchase of Tender Document after payment of a fee of Rs. 5,00,000 (Rs. FiveLakh Only) per mine/ block on MSTC Limited website is 14.08.2020.Last date for submission of bid on MSTC Limited website is 1400 hours on 18.08.2020.Bidders will not be allowed to submit their bids beyond stipulated date and time. For anyquery/ clarification kindly contact the Nominated Authority at the contact details mentioned in the advertisement.
In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 4(1) and 4(2) of the Coal Mines (SpecialProvisions) Act, 2015 and Section 11A of the Mines and Minerals (Development andRegulation) Act, 1957 and in accordance with the Rule 8(2) of the Coal Mines (SpecialProvisions) Rules 2014 and the Rule 3(1) of the Coal Blocks Allocation Rules, 2017 respectively, the Government of India has directed the Nominated Authority tounder take the 11th Tranche of Auction under CM(SP) Act and 1st Tranche of Auction under MMDR Act of identified coal mines/ blocks.
Accordingly, bids are invited in digital format only from the eligible companies for shortlisting of Qualified Bidders. QualifiedBidders will be allowed to participate in e-auction for the coal mines/ block to be held ondate and time as provided in the Tender Document. Detailed Tender Document can be downloaded from the website of MSTC Limited(https://www.mstcecommerce.com/auctionhome/coalblock/index.jsp). Timelines for thetender process have also been provided on the website of MSTC Limited.
For the coalextracted from the coal mine/ block, there shall be no restriction on the saleand/ or utilisation of coal including captive consumption, sale to affiliates, coal gasification, coal liquefaction and export of coal. Interested and eligible companies can register themselves on the above website. On successful registration, eligible companies will obtain Login ID and password necessary for participation in the tender process.
