New Delhi: Two underground coal mines in Chhattisgarh, whose allocation was previously cancelled in 2014 after the coal block allocation scam came to light, have received a total of 14 bids under the 12th tranche of commercial coal mine auctions. These two coal mines are Rajgamar Dipside (Deavnara) and Rajgamar Dipside (South of Phulakdih Nala) in Korba district. The Ministry of Coal said in a statement on Wednesday that out of six underground coal mines put up for auction under the 12th tranche, only these two coal mines received bids.
“The online bids were decrypted and opened electronically in the presence of the bidders. Subsequently, sealed envelopes containing offline bid documents were also opened in the presence of bidders. Entire process was displayed on the screen to the bidders. 14 bids have been received online as well as in physical form against 2 coal blocks,” said the ministry in a statement. Both the coal mines have non-coking coal reserves.
A total of eight companies are eyeing these two underground coal mines in Chhattisgarh. While Rajgamar Dipside (Deavnara) coal mine has received six bids, Rajgamar Dipside (South of Phulakdih Nala) has received eight bids. The list of companies include, Dilip Buildcon Limited, Godawari Power and Ispat Limited, TMC Mineral Resources Pvt Ltd, Singhal Steel and Power Pvt Ltd, NRSKS Mines and Minerals Pvt Ltd, Shyam Ores (Jharkhand) Pvt Ltd, Mivaan Steels Ltd and Shyam Metalics and Energy Limited.
In 2014, the Supreme Court of India cancelled the allocation of Rajgamar Dipside (Deavnara) and Rajgamar Dipside (South of Phulakdih Nala) coal mines, along with 202 other coal blocks. The cancellation was part of a larger decision to address irregularities in the allocation process. While Rajgamar Dipside (Deavnara) had then been allocated to API Ispat & Powertech Pvt Ltd and CG Sponge Manufacturing Consortium Coalfield Pvt Ltd, Rajgamar Dipside (South of Phulakdih Nala) mine was allocated to Monnet Ispat & Energy and Topworth Steel Ltd. The mines were subsequently listed for reallocation by the Ministry of Coal.
According to government records, Rajgamar Dipside (Deavnara) coal mine holds an estimated reserve of 78.464 Million Tonnes (MT) and Rajgamar Dipside (South of Phulakdih Nala) mine holds 61.697 MT of coal reserves.