As per the year end review report of the Ministry of coal, seventeen coal blocks, fourteen blocks for specified end-use i.e. Power and three blocks for Mining were allocated to various State Government Companies/Corporations/CPSUs under newly initiated bidding policy. The proposed agreement on coal mine production and development to be signed by the Government with the respective eligible Companies is under finalization. The Government of India has further decided to put on offer five lignite blocks located in the Gujarat and Rajasthan for power/commercial mining/ underground coal gasification, for allocation to Government Companies and had invited applications on July 29, 2013 from Gujarat and Rajasthan based Government Companies/Corp, keeping in view the fact that lignite cannot be transported over long distances due to its low calorific value, high moisture and soft/brittle nature of mineral, making it susceptible to catch fire. The applications received in response to the NIA are under process. Four coal blocks have also been identified catering to power production on the basis of competitive bids for tariff and applications for the same were invited on December 20, 2013. Besides this, procedure for allocation of area containing coal through auction by competitive bidding is under process.