JSPL, Hindalco, GMR among companies qualified to bid for coal blocks

NEW DELHI: Jindal Steel & Power, Adani Power, JSW Energy, GMR Energy, Hindalco Industries, Reliance Cement and Jaiprakash Associates are among 45-odd firms that have technically qualified to 11 non-operational coal mines being bid out by the government in second tranche of auction.

Utkal-C coal block has the maximum 16 technically qualified bidders, while auction of five blocks is being anulled as they received just two bids each.

The government will announce technical qualifications for six blocks - Utkal B1, Utkal B2, Meral, Rohne, Lohari and Gare Palma Sector IV/8 - at a later date. Interestingly, state-run Steel Authority of India is participating in auction of the Moitra coal block, while the government is separately allocating blocks for public sector undertakings.

Auction of these 11 blocks will be conducted between March 4 and March 8.