Jindal Steel and Power approaches Delhi HC against Odisha coal block auction

By  India Blooms News Service   Mar 30, 2023

Delhi: Jindal Steel and Power has approached the Delhi High Court against the grant of an Odisha coal block alleging that it was unfairly prevented from filing a higher bid, media reports said.

The bid for Chhendipada (revised) coal block in Odisha was won by Rungta Sons Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Jharkhand-based Rungta Mines, in the February 28 e-auction for commercial coal mines.

A division bench headed by Chief Justice SC Sharma posted the matter for hearing in April.

JSPL claimed that it was prevented from submitting its next higher bid due to technical glitches on the MSTC portal at the e-auction of the mine.

The company in its plea sought the courts direction to quash the February 28 e-auction and order a second auction.

The Chhendipada (revised) coal block has 513 million tonne geological reserves.

According to the petition, the company was alert and proactively brought the issue of technical glitches to the notice of SBI Capital Markets, advisor to the coal ministry in the auction process.