Coal block e-auction will be successful and comprehensive, says Union Coal Secretary

Remaining committed to e-auction of coal blocks, a top government official today said the process would be a "successful model and be comprehensive". "It will be done soon," Union Coal Secretary SK Srivastava said here when asked whether e-auction would be carried out in January next year. Speaking on modalities of auction, he said, "Some work has already been done and it would be a successful model which will be very comprehensive."

Srivastava, who was here to inaugurate a pilot project for computerisation of PF accounts for Kolkata region of Coal Mining Providend Fund Office, said that e-auction methodology would be transparent. The coal ministry has already initiated talks with e-auction companies and have sought their views on modalities of e-auction.

Srivastava said letters have already been issued to the coal block allottees to give the details of their assets. The ordinance also deals with delay in providing the details by holders, he said. Asked whether the present situation will not add to the problem for coal end-users due to gap between coal availability and linkages by Coal India Limited, Srivastava said, "These are problems that have been brought around due to some circumstances, external and internal. We are in the process of resolving those issues. The Ordinance not only provides for auction, it provides for government dispensation route also. We have clarified with the Ordinances about whatever reservations the Supreme Court had. It doesn't make any distinction between central and state government entities."

Speaking on price pooling, Srivastava said, "We keep on analysing and reviewing the pros and cons of the issue and then we will come to a decision."