15 more coal mines to start production

As many as 15 coal mines auctioned last year will begin production by March 31, 2016, taking the number of total producing mines to 23. The move comes against the backdrop of the government mobilising over Rs 3 lakh crore in three tranches of coal auctions last year. Eight of the mines are already in production. The government had last year auctioned 31 coal mines in three tranches and made an allotment of 42 coal blocks to Central or state government companies.