The government has promulgated an ordinance on e-auction of coal blocks. President Pranab Mukherjee signed it a short while ago.

Union Cabinet had yesterday recommended promulgation of the ordinance to take back cancelled coal blocks and reallocate them. The decision followed Supreme Court's judgement quashing allocation of coal blocks allotted by screening Committee during previous regimes.

The auction of coalmines is proposed to be completed in 3 to 4 months and sufficient number of mines will be put up for e-auction. State-owned organizations like NTPC and state electricity boards will get priority in allocation of mines.