A total of Rs 102.7 crore was transferred to the coal-bearing states, including Odisha and Chhattisgarh, on account of the upfront payment of the blocks auctioned and allocated last year. The amount to be paid in advance to the coal-bearing states, i.e. Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha were punished, an official said.
Of Rs 102.7 crore, a maximum of Rs 71.4 crore was transferred to Odisha, followed by Rs 21.4 crore to Chhattisgarh, Rs 5.4 crore to West Bengal and Rs 4.4 crore to Madhya Pradesh.
In January, the Ministry of Coal received a sum of Rs 41.2 crore as the first installment of upfront payment from Vedanta for the Jamkhani Coal Block in Odisha, which the company had collected at the auction held last year.
The Center also received Rs 51.6 crore from KPCL for two coal blocks in Odisha and Chhattisgarh in February.
The Ministry also received Rs 4.4 crore from Birla Corporation for two mines in Madhya Pradesh.
The Center approved the allocation of five coal blocks late last year.
For the first time, successful bidders will have the flexibility to sell 25% of the coal produced in the open market.
