Coal Ministry clarifies auction of Tara (Revised) coal block in Chhattisgarh's Hasdeo Arand area
On 11 September 2026, the Ministry of Coal said the Tara (Revised) coal block in Chhattisgarh was auctioned in the 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions after the state confirmed it lies outside the Lemru Elephant Corridor.
Summary
The Ministry of Coal on 11 September 2026 called media reports on the auction of the Tara coal block in Chhattisgarh misleading and set out the facts. The Tara block, offered in the 7th tranche in 2023, was withdrawn in July 2023 after the Chhattisgarh government asked that blocks in the Hasdeo Arand area be excluded; blocks overlapping the Lemru Elephant Corridor were not offered later. In a letter dated 11 December 2025, the state government asked for Tara to be included, saying it lies outside the Lemru Elephant Corridor. The block was then offered in the 15th round of commercial coal mine auctions after removing the corridor's influence zone, drew nine bids and was auctioned at a revenue share of 37.50%. The ministry expects it to earn the state over ₹1,200 crore a year and employ more than 8,000 people.
Key facts
- Block
- Tara (Revised), Hasdeo Arand area, Chhattisgarh
- 2023
- Offered in 7th tranche; withdrawn July 2023 at state's request
- Corridor
- Lemru Elephant Corridor — influence zone removed
- State letter
- 11 Dec 2025 — block outside corridor, may be offered
- Auction
- 15th round; 9 bids; revenue share 37.50%
- Benefits
- >₹1,200 crore/year to state; >8,000 jobs
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Tara (Revised) coal block, whose auction the Coal Ministry clarified on 11 September 2026, is located in which state?
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Correct answer: D — Chhattisgarh
Tara lies in the Hasdeo Arand area of Chhattisgarh.
Coal blocks in the Hasdeo Arand area were kept out of auctions because they overlapped with which elephant corridor?
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Correct answer: A — Lemru Elephant Corridor
Blocks overlapping the Lemru Elephant Corridor were not offered; Tara was auctioned after the state said it lies outside the corridor.
Consider the following about the Tara (Revised) coal block: 1. It was successfully auctioned in the 7th tranche of commercial coal mine auctions in 2023. 2. It was auctioned at a revenue share of 37.50% after receiving nine bids. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. Tara was withdrawn from the 7th tranche in July 2023 and was auctioned in the 15th round, drawing nine bids at a 37.50% revenue share.