Coal ministry to review deallocation of Jharkhand mines

NEW DELHI: The coal ministry on Thursday said it would review cancellation of coal blocks licences of Jharkhand State Electrcity Board.

Coal minsiter Sriprakash Jaiswal told Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda here that the centre may reconsider de-allocation of two coal blocks to the state in view of special circumstances and reasons explained for the delay, an official statement said.

The coal ministry has cancelled licences of 14 coal mines, including 5 of NTPC.

Jaiswal urged Jharkhand government to bring its blocks in operation as early as possible to ensure availability of coal.

Munda called on the coal minister to discuss availability of coal and status of various mining projects in the state.

Jaiswal urged Jharkhand to provide adequate security cover to facilitate night loading of coal.

Jaiswal also asked the state to expedite long pending local forest clearance to coal projects of public sector coal companies.

The chief minister said that the state would look into these issues, the statement said.