The Ministry of Coal on Thursday assured the Jharkhand Government that it would review the cancellation of coal blocks allocated to the Jharkhand State Electricity Board in view of valid reasons given by the State government.
The assurance came when Chief Minister Arjun Munda met Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal here on Thursday. Mr. Jaiswal told Mr. Munda that the Centre might reconsider de-allocation of two coal blocks in view of special circumstances and reasons explained for the delay, an official statement said.
The Ministry has cancelled the licences of 14 mines, including 5 of NTPC.
Mr. Jaiswal urged the State government to bring its blocks in operation as early as possible to ensure availability of coal. He also urged Mr. Munda to provide adequate security cover to facilitate night loading of coal. He asked the State to expedite the long-pending local forest clearance to projects of public sector coal companies. Mr. Munda said the State would look into these issues, the statement said.
Mr. Munda was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Hement Soren and senior officials.
