As 92 commercial coal mines await 364 clearances, govt moves to set up Project Management Unit

New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal is seeking to enlist the help of a consulting firm to set up a Project Management Unit (PMU) for ‘expediting coal block operationalisation’ as 92 coal mines auctioned under the commercial coal mining regime await clearances. In a Request for Proposal (RfP) floated on October 25, the Coal Ministry said, “Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, Government of India is taking many initiatives to ‘Expedite Coal Block Operationalisation.’ The Nominated Authority plans to take services of a Consulting firm to set up a Project Management Unit to support on ‘Expediting Coal Block Operationalisation (sic.).’”

PSU Watch is now on Whatsapp Channels. Click here to join

The selection will be done on quality-cum-cost basis, said the ministry. “Proposals are invited from eligible consulting firms (herein referred as bidders) to support Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal (MoC) to set up a Project Management Unit for supporting ‘Expediting Coal Block Operationalization.’ Selected bidders will provide services in accordance with the Terms of Reference of this RFP (Request for Proposal),” the RfP document said.

Commercial coal mining: 92 coal mines await between one to five clearances

According to the Coal Ministry, a total of 92 coal mines are awaiting between one to five clearances. The total number of pending clearances is 364, which is holding up the operationalisation of these coal mines. “The objective is to take necessary assistance, as may be required, in implementing the assignment for the duration of the Consultancy Agreement. The Consultancy Team shall be based in the Authority’s Office to advise and assist as may be required under the Consultancy. There are a total of 92 Mines [and 364 clearances pending (tentative)… ] which are non-operational and clearances like EC, FC-I/FC-II, Mining Lease, Land Acquisition, etc with regard to these coal mines allocated under the provisions of CM (SP) Act, 2015 and MMDR Act are pending,” said the ministry. The coal mines which are allocated in the future for commercial coal mining will be added to the scope of work, the ministry added.

Proposals are to be submitted on the electronic platform created by Government e-Marketplace (GEM). The ministry has adopted a two-stage selection process for evaluating the proposals. A technical proposal will be required in the first stage, followed by a financial proposal. “The Bidder should be a Partnership Firm/LLP / Company registered or incorporated under the relevant law and having operations in India,” said the ministry.

(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)