By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Nov 8: Meghalaya could sell only 3,563 metric tonnes out of the 2,13,567.99 MT of coal that was put up for auction held earlier this year, a panel report said. The sale works out to approximately 1.67% of the total volume.
On the auction of re-assessed or re-verified inventoried coal by Coal India Limited for efficacious disposal of the said coal, the Justice (retired) B.P. Katakey Committee, in its 33rd interim report, said that it made several attempts to find a more reliable method to ensure expeditious auction of such coal in the CIL’s designated depots. This followed the directions of the High Court of Meghalaya.
The report said that despite engaging the local coal-based industries in the auction process, the only method deemed efficacious was by amending the Revised Comprehensive Plan, 2022, as suggested by the CIL and the state government.
One of the proposals for such an amendment was approved by the Oversight Committee in its meeting held on July 9, but it has yet to be notified by the government.
The proposal for amendment of the Revised Comprehensive Plan, 2022, is pending before the Oversight Committee for taking an appropriate decision.
According to the information furnished by the Director of Mineral Resources, 2,13,567.99 MT of coal was put up in the last auction conducted on April 17, out of which 3,563 MT only was sold, leaving 2,10,004.99 MT of coal unsold.
No auction has taken place after April 17 on the ground of the monsoon and the non-availability of the bidders.
The Justice Katakey-led Committee has recommended immediate initiation of the process for the auction of re-assessed or re-verified inventoried coal presently lying in various CIL-designated depots, in compliance with the Revised Comprehensive Plan, 2022, after amendment as per the approval granted by the Oversight Committee in its proceeding dated July 9.
The panel said the process should also be in strict compliance with the requirement of clauses 8(j) and 10(p) of the said Revised Comprehensive Plan, 2022, pending finalisation of the process of finding out of more efficacious and reliable method of auction, so that the available coal in the CIL designated depots can be sold and transported soon, according to the order passed by the Supreme Court.
