Coal mines bill News

The government plans to soon auction about 11 coal mines which could not be sold in the first two phases of the recent coal block auctions.

A bill on allocation of coal mines, which became infructuous after the passage of a similar bill in Parliament this year, was withdrawn from Rajya Sabha Monday.

The government is all set to auction another set of 15-20 coal blocks next month following passage of the coal mines bill in Parliament.

Parliament approved two crucial bills, which form part of NDA government's reforms agenda.

The TMC, AIADMK and BSP have announced support for the Mines and Minerals Bill, scheduled to be taken up in the Rajya Sabha Friday.

The coal auction will resume by end of April or early May with 15-20 more mines, provided the Coal Mines bill is passed in Rajya Sabha or a new ordinance is promulgated.

The report of select committees on the mines and minerals and coal bills will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, informed sources said.

The future of Coal India`s two blocks in Odisha remains uncertain as the company will not be participating in the upcoming coal block auction in January, company sources said Saturday.

The Bill provides for "allocation of coal mines and vesting of the right, title and interest in and over the land and mine infrastructure, together with mining leases, to successful bidders and allottees through a transparent bidding process.