The Indian government on Monday said the coal mines will be e-Auction to user industries. Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley said, e-Auction of coal mines will be for actual users of steel, cement and power for private sector firms. 'This is not de-nationalization of coal mining, the original 1973 Coal Nationalization Act remains,' he said.

Enabling provision for allowing commercial users in future will be incorporated in the Ordinance, the Finance Minister said.

"Mining requirements of Coal India, present and future, will be adequately protected," Jaitley said. Coal mines will be allocated to state-owned organizations like NTPC and state electricity boards, he added.