The country's largest coal producer Coal India (CIL) has seen an estimated two-fold jump in profit to Rs 10,616 crore in 2009-10, Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said today.
Profits of CIL for 2009-10 stood at Rs 10,616 crore, which is almost double of last year's, Jaiswal told reporters here.
In 2008-09, CIL had a profit before tax of Rs 4,238.58 crore, which the company said was low on account of the over Rs 5,000 crore wage revision for its employees.
The minister further said the company's IPO is likely to be launched in August, which will see the Centre divesting 10 per cent of its stake in the coal major.
The government at present holds 100 per cent stake in the company.
Jaiswal said that almost 90 per cent of the coal produced in the country was of average quality and it was trying to get coal properties outside the country to meet requirements.
Though the average quality coal can be used in thermal plants, the country required good quality for cement, paper and other industries for blending it with the one available with us, he added.
Jaiswal said henceforth coal block allotment to the private players would be only through bidding process.
"Only the highest bidder would be given coal blocks in the country, as it was found that private players were acquiring them as property assets," the minister said adding that an amendment bill for it is awaiting parliamentary nod.
He, however, stressed that under the government dispensation, the Centre would decide on allotting coal blocks to states demanding them, but it would be only on merit.
"It would be seen which state is making the demand first and the status of its power plant besides considering other merits before allotting coal blocks", he added.
