Coal Ministry Expects to Start 58 Coal Blocks in 2022-23

The Coal Ministry expects operationalization of 58 coal blocks in 2022-23 and has set a goal of 138.28 million ton coal production, an official announcement stated on Friday.

"The Ministry of Coal has allocated coal blocks for captive end-use and sale of coal/ commercial mining. 85.32 million tonnes of coal has been produced in FY 2021-22 from 47 operational coal blocks,” a ministry statement said.

He also said that cause notices are issued from time to time to companies that do not meet the deadlines set out in their agreements for the operation of coal blocks or fail to fulfill their target coal production.

A Scrutiny committee has been established by the Department to review cause and response notices received from recipients on a case-by-case basis and recommend penalty measures in the event of recipient delays.

According to the statement, the recommendations from the Scrutiny Committee have been accepted by the government, and spending orders are being issued. Following the Audit Committee meeting, 16 companies issued additional reasoning notices for 22 coal blocks.