A Large Coal Block To Be Earmarked To Odisha For Commercial Mining : Piyush Goyal

09 March , New Delhi (Odibizinfo)

Union Minister for Power and Coal Piyush Goyal Monday announced that Odisha would receives maximum revenue from the coal blocks auction process.

He assured Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik that a large coal block will be earmarked for commercial mining for the benefit of the industries of the State. In addition, another significant coal block will be allocated to a State PSU.

Goya, who called on Chief Minister Patnaik at Odisha Bhawan, dispelled his concern “at the minuscule portion of benefits derived by Odisha as compared to other States from the ongoing coal blocks auction”.

Goyal assured that the interests of the State are of paramount importance and that every effort will be made to ensure adequate availability of coal for the power sector and other industries.

Patnaik during the meeting emphasized that a large number of coal blocks in Odisha have been
earmarked for power sector which witnesses a reverse bidding process and puts the State in a comparatively disadvantageous position.

The Chief Minister stated that out of nine coal blocks of Odisha earmarked for auction so far, only one coal block been earmarked for the non-regulated sector.

He added that a large number of industries in Odisha will be put to great disadvantage due to non-earmarking of adequate number of coal blocks to meet their captive requirements.

However, Union Minister assured that the Union Government shall address the just concerns of the State and ensure that the industries of Odisha do not suffer on account of inadequate availability of coal for meeting their captive requirement .