Government puts award of four coal blocks on hold

NEW DELHI: The government has put on hold the award of four coal blocks, bagged by Jindal Steel & Power, Bharat Aluminium Co. and BS Ispat.

The blocks are Gare Palma IV 2, Gare Palma IV 3, Gare Palma IV-1 and Marki Mangli III. The government has issued letters of award to the successful bidders of the remaining 15 blocks auctioned in the first round.

"The auction of these four blocks is being examined by the nominated authority," a government official said. There were some prima facie issues, he said, without elaborating.

Jindal Steel was the successful bidder for Gare Palma IV 2 and Gare Palma IV 3 mines. Gare Palma IV/1 mine had gone to Balco and Marki Mangli III to BS Ispat.

These blocks received the lowest bids among the 19 auctioned between February 14 and February 22.