The government will hold deliberations with steel companies this week to examine the reasons for poor response to fifth round of coal mines auction which was annulled. The meeting is scheduled for September 15, the Coal Ministry said in a notice.

“In order to assess/discuss the bottlenecks/reason for low response, Secretary (Coal) has desired to hold a meeting with the prospective bidders from the Steel industry,” it said, adding that the prospective bidders are requested to be present at the meeting.

Six coking coal blocks were to go under the hammer in the fifth round, five of which are in Jharkhand and one in Madhya Pradesh.