The environment is holding up growth and economic development in India. This is the common refrain in circles that matter. So when the Group of Ministers tasked to resolve the issue of coal mining in forests asked for a report on what needs to be done, it was told that the best would be dismantle green conditions, almost completely.

The chief ministers of India's mineral-rich states are keenly watching the progress of the new Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Bill that was recently approved by the Union cabinet. While many of them have been dragged into illegal mining controversies, Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh has welcomed any scrutiny of the state's mining industry.

The private sector has not fully utilised the allocation of coal blocks to them, said a senior official from the Ministry of Power. The official added, private sector would produce only 20 per cent of the estimated coal production from the blocks.

In the current scenario where coal shortage has severely impacted power generation, Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal has an onerous task: ensuring that coal production is on target. In an interview, the minister highlights the reasons for the demand-supply mismatch.

The CAG has advised the Oil Ministry to allow Reliance Industries (RIL) to recover expenditure on its eastern offshore KG-D6 field only after it has been audited.

Private investors in India's power generation sector are worried. Fuel shortage is staring at their plants. Consumers are reading with disbelief at the much hyped India growth story - load shedding is a regular phenomenon in most urban centres. Rural consumers have no such problem - forget electricity even the much flaunted growth story keep clear off them.

What's common to NTPC, GMR Energy, Shree Cement Ltd and the Railways? These are among hundreds of companies seeking coal supplies from the government for their power, steel and cement projects.

Tata Power, which is hoping to commission its 4,000-mw ultra mega power plant (UMPP) in Mundra early next year, has been dealt a blow by the Indonesian government, which has called for a sharp increase in the price of coal exported out of the country. At current prices of $110 per tonne of coal, the increased cost could set the company back by about $100 million when all five units are up and running.

Despite abundant mining opportunities, India's mineral exploration budget stood below 0.5% of the total world budget of $10.7 billion in 2010, says a study. The global mining industry witnessed new heights in 2008, with the exploration budget touching $12.6 billion.

From pricing to allocation, natural gas is one sector that is always into controversies - and L Mansingh knows it well. The chairman of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board, in an interview, shares his views regarding the potential, controversies and pricing of the fuel.