The government has allocated a total of 195 coal blocks stand allocated to various public and private sector companies. Out of these allocated coal blocks, 30 coal blocks have started production. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Coal Pratik Prakashbapu Patil informed that the remaining coal blocks which have not started production so far. He said they are in various stages of obtaining statutory clearances and mining lease, preparing mining plan, acquisition of land, procuring machinery and equipment for both mining as well as end-use project.

The Minister said that the development of coal blocks involves a gestation period of 3 to 5 years for reaching the production stage and another two to three years for reaching the optimal production capacity. Mr Patil said that the responsibility of developing the coal block as per the prescribed guidelines and milestone chart attached with the allocation letter rests entirely with the allocatee company.

He said, in the event of willful delay in the development of coal blocks and in setting up of the end use project, the Government will take appropriate action to de-allocate the block. The Minister said, the government periodically monitors and reviews the development of allocated blocks as well as end use plants by the allocatee companies in the Review Meetings.