Green Nod For 50 Coal Blocks Of 33 Companies Soon

The coal blocks, owned by thirty-odd companies, hold reserves of at least 6,700 million tonnes.

Last week, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh told an inter-ministerial panel that he would consider giving a go-ahead to coal mines that had received first-stage clearance before December 31, 2009, a senior government official said. The group of ministers looking into environment-related issues of coal blocks met for the second time on April 7.

As per coal ministry estimates, around 35,000 crore has been invested towards power, steel and cement plants attached to coal blocks falling in 'no-go' areas. Read the full report here.

Source: ET Bureau, Economic Times, New Delhi.