Fractured/Earth

Ambiguous drafting continues to dog the NDA’s coalblock auction plans

After the Coal Bill, it is the turn of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Rules, 2014. Rules say the central government can allot a coalblock where mining has already started to any company recommended by the ministry of power which “henceforth may be awarded a power project based on competitive bids for tariff”. The phrasing, say industry experts, creates an outcome where companies become eligible for an allotment even if they just intend to bid for a power project.

m rajshekhar