India's Largest Database on New Projects
03 August 2006: The plan to allot around 81 coal blocks for captive mining by power developers is on the verge of being finalised. These blocks have an aggregate capacity of 20 billion tonnes.
The matter was discussed at a recent secretary-level meeting chaired by TKA Nair, principal secretary to the prime minister. It was decided to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, to provide for competitive bids for all minerals including coal and lignite.
The ministry of mines insisted that only coal and lignite be included, with all other minerals being considered separately after the report of the high-level committee on mineral policy is received. In addition, a proposal to impose a 3-5 per cent cess on domestic coal to fund infrastructure augmentation in the energy sector has been shelved.
The
committee of secretaries of the central government has decided not to pursue the
plan for the cess.
Source: Business Standard