Guwahati: 58 coal blocks will become operational in 2022-23, with a projected output of 138.28 million tonnes.

The Ministry of Coal has allotted coal blocks for captive end-use and commercial mining. In FY-2021-22, the 47 operating coal blocks produced 85.32 million tonnes of coal. In comparison to the anticipated output of 203.67 million tonnes for FY 2022-23, a total of 58 coal blocks are expected to become operational, with an expected production of roughly 138.28 million tonnes.

Show Cause Notices are given from time to time to enterprises that do not adhere to the timetables specified in their agreements for timely operationalisation of coal blocks or for failure to meet planned coal production. The Ministry has formed a Scrutiny Committee to review the show-cause letters and responses received from allocattees on a case-by-case basis and suggest penalties in situations where the delays are attributable to the allocattees.

The Scrutiny Committee recently reviewed cases of 24 coal mines – and recommended a proportionate appropriation of Performance, Security in four cases, namely Tenughat Vidyut Nigam Limited (Rajbar E&D), Topworth Urja & Metals Ltd. (Marki Mangli-I), Ultratech Cements Ltd (Bicharpur), and National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (Talaipalli) due to allocattees' delay. The Government has approved the Scrutiny Committee's recommendations, and appropriation instructions have been issued.

Following the Scrutiny Committee meeting, further show-cause letters were issued to 16 businesses for 22 coal blocks.