Indian steel companies seek coal blocks after cancelled auctions

Close on the heels of the Indian government cancelling the auction of nine coal blocks, owing to a poor response, government-owned and -operated steel majors have pitched for preferential allocation of coal reserves to ensure raw material supply. Taking up cudgels on behalf of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) and NMDC Limited, the Steel Ministry has asked the Coal Ministry to allow preferential coal block allocation for government-owned steel companies outside the auction route.