The Union Ministry of Coal (MoC) on Monday rapped National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) for the tardy progress on the development of three coal blocks allocated to them in 2007.
The Ministry has issued show-cause notice to the PSUs asking them to submit replies within 20 days. The MOC has issued the notice on the basis of Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) recommendation. In its two review meetings held earlier, the IMG had sought clarifications from the OPGC on why it did not develop the two coal mines allocated to it for expansion of its Ib Thermal Power Station. The OPGC was given Manoharpur coal block and dip side Manoharpur coal block for the expansion project. Similarly, the NTPC was allocated Dulanga coal block. Notably, the IMG is mandated to review the progress of development of allocated coal blocks and associated end-use projects and to recommend action, including de-allocation, if required.