The Ministry of Coal has received unprecedented response to the coal block auctions under sixth round and second attempt of fifth round of commercial coal block auctions that was launched on November 3^rd, 2022.  The last date for submission of technical bids was January 30^th, 2023.  A total of 99 bids for 36 coal mines have been received in the physical form.  For 6^th round, two or more bids were received for 25 coal mines, single bid for 7 mines and 10 bids for 4 mines in 2^nd attempt of 5^th round.  This is the biggest response received for commercial coal mine auctions that was launched by the Prime Minister on June 18^th, 2020.

It may be recalled that Coal Ministry had taken a number of reforms in this auction round like permission to relinquish part mine, reduction in upfront amount and bid security, introduction of National Lignite Index, no revision of NCI till operationalization of mine etc. It may be noted that till now the Ministry has successfully conducted five rounds of auctions in most transparent manner and auctioned 64  blocks with 152  Million Ton (MT) PRC. Once these blocks are operational, they will generate more than Rs.20,000 crores to the States as annual revenue, leading to direct and indirect employment of more than two lakh.

The online bids received as part of the auction process will open at 10:00 AM on January 31^st, 2023 in the presence of interested bidders.

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AKN/RKP

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