WBPDCL not debarred illegally to participate in auctions: Coal Ministry

The Centre on Monday refuted media reports that West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited was illegally barred by the Coal Ministry from participating in an auction for coal mines located in West Bengal.
“An article has been published in a section of media alleging that the Union Government illegally barred West Bengal from coal auctions, benefiting a corporate.
“It is alleged that the Coal Ministry disqualified West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) from participating in the auction of West Bengal-based coal mines considering WBPDCL as a prior allottee and has not paid additional levy within the prescribed time,” the Ministry of Coal said in a statement.
The allegations made in the article are incorrect and baseless, the ministry said.
Coal mines are allocated through auction to government and private companies and through allotment only to government companies, it added.
As per Section 4(4) of the Coal Mines (Special Provision) Act, if the prior allot