Delhi High Court to hear government argument in Jindal coal bids case on May 25

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court will hear the government's argument on petitions filed by Jindal Steel & Power and Bharat Aluminium Co., challenging rejection of their bids for coal blocks after they emerged as the top bidders.

The court heard Jindal’s argument on Thursday and listed the next hearing for May 25, sources said.

The government had rejected Jindal’s bids for the Gare Palma IV/2&3 and Tara blocks and Balco's bid for the Gare IV/1 mine. The bids for these blocks were low compared with those received by other blocks auctioned in the same round of auctions. The two Gare Palma blocks were later given to state-run Coal India for operation. Jindal and Balco challenged the government's move in the Delhi High Court.

Coal India will continue operating the Gare Palma blocks till court pronounces its judegment.