India Sets Up Panel to Look into Coal Gasification

Indian government has set up an inter-ministerial panel to look into coal gasification, according to Press Trust of India.

"Recently, the Inter Ministerial Committee was set up. The panel would discuss, identify and make recommendation on coal blocks have to be either auctioned or allotted (for underground coal gasification)," the official told the news agency.

The cabinet last month approved a policy for developing underground coal gasification in coal and lignite bearing areas in the country. A policy on the lines of the existing policy for coal bed methane (CBM) development on a revenue sharing basis will be adopted to offer the blocks through competitive bidding, Press Trust reported.

Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL) will look into development of bid documents, work programme, conducting the bidding process, evaluation of bids, monitoring and process protocols etc.

In the perspective of next two years some explored blocks will be identified for offer. Additional blocks will be identified for offer in the long-term.