New Delhi: While Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) has submitted bids for four coal blocks, Jharkhand Exploration and Mining Corporation Limited has thrown its hat in the ring for three mines in the 12th round of commercial coal blocks auctions. The Ministry of Coal opened the bids for the round on Monday and said that 10 new companies have submitted bids for acquiring coal blocks.
"The round received good response from the bidders. Bids have been received for 11 coal blocks out of 22 coal blocks," said the ministry. 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 for the bidders. At least 41 bids have been received online as well as in physical form against 11 coal blocks.
A total of 38 bids were received against eight coal blocks offered in the 12th round. Under 2nd Attempt of 11th round, a total of three coal blocks were put up for auction and three bids were received against three coal blocks, with each block receiving one bid.
The other PSUs that have submitted bids include Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) and Neyveli Lignite Corporation of India Limited (NLCIL), who have submitted one bid each. Other companies which have submitted bids include Jindal Steel and Power, Adas Mining and Infra Pvt Ltd, Alom Solar Pvt Ltd, Amalgam Steel and Power Ltd, AMPL Resources Pvt Ltd, Godawari Commodities Ltd, KSK Mahanadi Power Co Ltd, MSP Mines and Minerals Ltd, Nilkanth Special Minerals Pvt Ltd, Nuravi Infrastructure Projects Pvt Ltd, Oriental Quarries and Mines Pvt Ltd, Orissa Alloy Steel Pvt Ltd, Orissa Metallurgical Industry Pvt Ltd and Sunflag Iron & Steel Co Ltd.
"The participation of new companies in the commercial coal block auction shows the interest of the companies towards the policy. The coal sector will continue to fuel the economy to become the third-largest economy in the world," said the Coal Ministry. The bids will be evaluated by a multi-disciplinary Technical Evaluation Committee and Technically Qualified Bidders will be shortlisted for participation in the electronic auction, to be conducted on MSTC portal, it added.
