NALCO allocated two coal blocks.

National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), country�s leading aluminium manufacturer, has breathed a sigh of relief as its energy security has been strengthened following allocation of Utkal D and E Coal Blocks, in Odisha�s Angul district. The two coal blocks are located close to Angul where the company is operating 4.6 lakh tonne aluminium smelter and a 1200 mw captive power plant. �The company�s smooth operation and expansion plans hinged on the allocation of these blocks,� said T. K. Chand, NALCO chairman and managing director, in a statement here on Tuesday. �With this, NALCO�s captive resources add 200 million tonnes of coal, which will see the company through the next three decades and more,� Mr. Chand added. According to NALCO, Utkal E Coal Block was allotted to the company by the Union government in 2004. The company had spent Rs.126.34 crore for this block, including Rs.98 crore towards compensation against land acquisition. Besides, the company had also spent considerably on infrastructural facilities and various corporate social responsibility activities in the area. However, the cancellation of allocation of Utkal E Coal Block, following the Supreme Court�s order to de-allocate 204 coal blocks across the country, came as a setback to the company.