Monday, September 3, 2012

Cancellation of coal blocks after IMG report: Govt

Against the backdrop of opposition pressure, the fate of 58 coal blocks will be reviewed at a meeting of an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG), on whose recommendations wrongful allotments and cases in which mining has not started can be cancelled.
Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said an IMG has been set up to examine the pros and cons and based on its report any number of allocations can be cancelled. He said the IMG will give its report by September 15.
Notices were issued in April to these allottees following concerns expressed by the PMO regarding the delay in development of the blocks.
The 58 allottees include 25 private companies and 33 government firms.
An Inter Ministerial Group headed by Additional Secretary Coal is likely to meet tomorrow to review that status of these 58 coal blocks.
The IMG comprising representatives from different Ministries may recommend cancellation of such blocks, which did not comply to the development norms.
The firms in their replies furnished to the Ministry have cited various reasons, including land acquisition problems, delays in forestry and environment clearance and law and order problems for delays in developing the blocks.
Coal Minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal has directed the officials in the Coal Ministry to submit a final report on the status of the 58 coal blocks by 15th September.
Meanwhile, BJP reiterated its stand and said that the party will agree to debate in Parliament only if the government cancels allocation of coal blocks allotments

No comments:

Competitiveness, climate, security Finn’s priorities Ministry of Finance release Finnish road map of EU presidency. Finland is set ...