The Coal Ministry said that it will release the three forfeited coal blocks of state run NTPC in Jharkhand within a month and would formulate a necessary framework for the same.

Sri Prakash Jaiswal coal minister of India said that "The three Chatti Bariatu, Chatti Bariatu and Kerandari coal blocks of NTPC will be cleared within a month. At present, there is no policy on re allocating the coal blocks which have been de allocated or seized in the past.

Mr Jaiswal said that "Yes, there is no re-allocation policy but NTPC is a government company. We will find a way for that, all ways are opened for the government."

The government had last year deallocated NTPC's five mines Chatti Bariatu, Chatti Bariatu, Kerandari, Brahmani and Chichiro Patsimal in Jharkhand following NTPC's failure to develop them within the stipulated time frame. The remaining two coal blocks Brahmani and Chichiro Patsimal have been allocated to Coal India by the Coal Ministry.

Last year, the Coal Ministry had cancelled the allotment of 14 coal blocks and one lignite block to six PSUs, including NTPC and three private firms for failing to develop mines.

Mr Jaiswal also asked the Power Ministry to speed up clearance for the 1,980 MW coal based thermal power project at Ghatmapur in Kanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Two power projects one NLC Kanpur and one project of NTPC were also discussed. We hope they would be cleared soon."

Neyveli Lignite Corporation plans to set up the Ghatmapur project in joint venture with Uttar Pradesh. The company proposes to invest INR 10,000 crore for the same. The plant would be 50:50 JV between Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited and NLC.

Source - Press Trust of India

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