Jaiswal denies scam in coal, to specially consider Odisha case

The Union Minister, however, said that the Ministry will specially consider the case of Odisha if it participated in the fresh tender for five coal blocks located in the state.

"We will specially consider Odisha's case if it participates in the bidding process for 5 coal blocks," Jaiswal said.

The Ministry of Coal has put five coal blocks - Kudanali-Laburi, Sarapal-Napara, Tentuloi, Chandrabila and Brahmani - in the Talcher coalfield for tender. Last date of

tender for the five blocks has been extended till February 8.

Odisha government has already applied for bidding process for four coal blocks except Brahmani, sources said.

When reporters pointed out that though three coalblocks of Odisha PSUs have been deallocated for non-performance, same yardstick is not used for Chendipada

coalblock allocated for PSUs of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattishgarh.

"There is no politics in deallocation process. The deallocation is done by a committee. The state government's allegation of favouring other states do not arise as UP and Chhattisgarh are ruled by non-Congress states," the minister said claiming complete transparency in the coal block allotment process

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