14th Coal Auction sees encouraging response with bids for 24 blocks

The 14th round of Commercial Coal Blocks' Auction saw bids for 24 of 41 blocks, with 49 bids from 11 companies, including 5 new entrants. The transparent auction reflects sustained industry interest and supports India's economic momentum.

The Ministry of Coal on Tuesday opened the bids for the 14th round of Commercial Coal Blocks' Auction, witnessing encouraging participation from industry stakeholders. Bids were received for 24 coal blocks out of the 41 blocks offered in this round, reflecting sustained industry interest in India's commercial coal mining framework, it said in a statement.

Strong Participation and Transparent Process

Out of the 41 coal blocks offered in this round, bids were received for 24 blocks, with a total of 49 bids submitted. The bidding process was conducted through a transparent hybrid mechanism, wherein online bids were decrypted and opened electronically in the presence of bidders. This was followed by the opening of sealed envelopes containing offline bid documents, also in the presence of bidders. The entire process was displayed live on screen to ensure complete transparency.

A total of 11 companies participated in the auction, including five new entrants bidding for the first time under the commercial coal mining regime. The entry of new players highlights growing industry confidence in the policy framework and the expanding opportunities within India's coal sector.

Evaluation and Forward Path

The Ministry of Coal stated that the bids will now be evaluated by a multi-disciplinary Technical Evaluation Committee. Bidders who are found technically qualified will be shortlisted for participation in the subsequent electronic auction, which will be conducted on the MSTC portal.

Coal's Role in National Growth

The sustained response to commercial coal block auctions underscores the pivotal role of the coal sector in supporting industrial growth, strengthening energy security, and contributing to India's broader economic momentum as the country progresses towards becoming the world's third-largest economy. (ANI)

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