NTPC to soon take call on Rs. 23,000 crore contract for Jharkhand mine.

State-run power producer NTPCB in its board meeting next week will take a call on appointment of a mine developer-cum-operator (MDO) for its Jharkhand mine. "During the board meeting of NTPC on September 29 the decision on appointment of the MDO for Pakri-Barwadih coal block in Jharkhand will be taken," a source privy to the development said. A venture of Thriveni Earthmovers and Sainik Mining has emerged as the lowest bidder for Rs. 23,000 crore contract of the Pakri-Barwadih coal block, a source had earlier said. According to NTPC's Director (Finance) Kulamani Biswal the tendering process for the appointment of the MDO for the mine has already been completed and "we are going to allot the work to the new MDO." The source had earlier said that as many as 15 entities had submitted bids for NTPC's Pakri-Barwadih coal block but three including Adani Enterprises and AMR India have qualified for the final round. However, NTPC is yet to award the contract based on the final round of bidding for the coal block, the source had added. NTPC Chairman and Managing Director AK Jha had recently said that the company was targeting to begin production from Pakri-Barwadih coal block in Jharkhand this year and three more blocks in next two years. The PSU had previously cancelled Rs 23,000-crore contract with Thiess Minecs India to develop the block due to delays.