BJP hails government's decision to bring Ordinance on coal blocks

NEW DELHI: BJP today welcomed government's decision to promulgate an Ordinance to facilitate e-auction of coal blocks for private companies for captive use and allot mines directly to state and central PSUs and said the reforms initiated by the Prime Minister are aimed at helping the common man.

"BJP welcomes the decision that will end uncertainty in the sector. The power and coal sector had seen a dark phase from 2004 to 2014 due to the wrong policies of the previous UPA regime for which the nation suffered heavily," BJP National Secretary Shrikant Sharma said.

He said the Prime Minister's target is to provide relief to the common man and help provide basic amenities and the decision will help streamline the process of coal mining that will help in more power production.

"The government's aim is to provide electricity to every individual in the country and make their lives comfortable," he said.

He lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for bringing economic reforms and for remaining committed to his promise of bringing down prices and providing relief to the common man.

He welcomed linking of bank accounts of LPG consumers for getting direct subsidy and said the previous UPA regime headed by Congress had left it midway due to which many people could not benefit.

Sharma said the government headed by Modi is providing "the much-needed succor" to common people by lowering diesel price and linking of bank accounts for LPG subsidy.

In a major move towards energy sector reforms, the Cabinet today recommended promulgation of an Ordinance to facilitate e-auction of coal blocks for private companies for captive use and allot mines directly to state and central PSUs.

The move comes against the backdrop of the Supreme Court last month quashing allocation of 214 coal blocks to various companies since 1993.