Decision on re-allocation of coal blocks to power major NTPC to be taken soon, says Power Minister

A decision on re-allocation of coal blocks to power major NTPC Ltd will be taken soon, the Power Minister, Mr Sushilkumar Shinde, has said.

Citing NTPC's failure to develop the fields as a reason, the Coal Ministry had in May cancelled five coal blocks allocated to the power major. Earlier this month, the Power Ministry had requested the Coal Ministry to review the decision, saying that NTPC's plans to add 15,000 MW generation capacity was likely to be hit because of the cancellations.

In an interview to national broadcaster Doordarshan, Mr Shinde said: “I have brought to the Prime Minister's notice this matter and he created a GoM (group of ministers) under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee… The matter is under discussion and a decision on reallocating the coal blocks will be taken soon.”