New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal is planning roadshows for tranche III of commercial coal mine auction and is seeking to engage industry bodies like Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), among others, as project management partner. In a notification released on Monday, the ministry said, "Ministry of Coal is planning to organise Road shows in different parts of the country to create sensitisation on the amendments made in Acts and Rules by Ministry of Coal and generate private sector interest and participation."
The Ministry of Coal launched the tranche III of commercial auction for 88 coal mines on October 12.
The ministry has said that due to the short timeframe available, the tender will be limited to participation from FICCI, CII, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) and ASSOCHAM. "It has been decided to appoint/engage Project Management Partner for this purpose. Considering the importance of the event and short time frame for launch of the event, a Limited Tender Inquiry asking financial quotation from FICCI, CII, ASSOCHAM and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry only is hereby sought," the Coal Ministry has said.
The government has said that participation in the tender is by invitation only. The last date for submitting financial quotations expires on November 23.
The Ministry of Coal has said that it is planning to hold the first roadshow for the tranche III of commercial coal mine auction in Ranchi followed by Hyderabad and Ahmedabad. The dates for the three roadshows will be decided by the ministry in consultation with the selected partner.
From this tranche onwards, the Ministry of Coal has introduced provisions in the agreement related to sustainable mining operations, including mine closure, mechanised evacuation of coal and surrender of coal mine by successful bidder upon encountering difficult mining conditions. The list of mines has been finalised post detailed deliberations and mines falling under protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries, critical habitats, having forest cover greater than 40 percent, heavily built-up area etc have been excluded.
Key features of the commercial coal mine auction process include introduction of National Coal Index, ease in participation with no restriction for prior coal mining experience, full flexibility in coal utilisation, optimised payment structures, efficiency promotion through incentives for early production and use of clean coal technology. Further incentives are being contemplated by the Ministry of Coal with focus on sustainability.
India's per capita consumption of power is one of the lowest in the world as compared to developed countries and that the power demand of the country is expected to double by the year 2040, owing to major steps taken by the government in connecting the remotest of places with power. In view of this fact, the government has time and again reiterated that coal will continue to play a major part in the energy mix of the country for next 35-40 years.
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