Tata-Sasol to get coal blocks

The Coal Ministry is examining the proposal of allocating coal blocks for Tata-Sasol Coal to Liquid project at an estimated cost of 6-8 billion dollars.

"The Inter-Ministerial Group of the Planning Commission has recommended the proposal of Tata-Sasol Coal to Liquid project and recommended for consideration of the Coal Ministry for alloting coal blocks," Minister of State for Coal Santosh Bagrodia told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a query.

Tata is partnering with Sasol company of South Africa for establishing coal to liquid facility for 3.6 million tonne per annum of oil and oil products, he said. Besides, companies like Reliance Industries, Essar, Jindal Steel and Power Limited and Adani Group have also indicated their interests to pursue coal to oil projects.

However, these proposals do not contain details of costing, capacity.      "The subject of conversion of coal to oil is under examination of the Ministry of Coal," he added.