Coal scam: Government may issue de-allocation letters to companies this week
03 Dec 2013
The Coal Ministry is planning to begin issuing deallocation letters to firms
like Jindal Steel and Power Ltd and Rathi Udyog this week.
"The Coal
Ministry is planning to begin issuing deallocation letter to companies like JSPL and
Rathi Udyoy, this week," an official said.
The companies had to face the
ire of coal ministry for delaying the production from the mines allocated to
them and a decision was taken to deallocate their blocks.
The Ministry recently decided to take back 11 blocks given to companies,
including Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL) and Rathi Udyog Ltd.
The
inter-ministerial group (IMG) on coal blocks after reviewing the performance of
30 coal blocks had earlier recommended deallocation of 11 blocks.
"In the
case of another 19 mines, the IMG has recommended either imposition or deduction
of bank guarantee," a source had earlier said.
Coal blocks, which were
recommended for deallocation, include Ramchandi Promotional block.
These
coal blocks were earlier issued show cause notices for delaying
production.
The Ministry had in October asked the coal block allottees to
make presentation before the IMG on achievement of milestones and reasons for
delays.
The firms which were asked to make presentation include, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), NTPC LtdBSE -1.29 %,
JSPL and Tata Power.
JSPL was asked to make presentation with regard to
delaying production from its four coal blocks -- Amarkunda Murgadangal in
Jharkhand, Utkal B1 and Ramchandi Promotional block in Odisha and Urtan North in
Madhya Pradesh. SAIL was asked to make presentation for Sitanala mine in
Jharkhand, and NTPC for Parki Barwadih mine in Jharkhand and Talaipalli mine in Chhattisgarh.
The government had formed the IMG last
year to review the progress of coal blocks allocated to firms for captive use
and recommend action, including de-allocation. The panel under the chairmanship
of additional secretary in the coal ministry has members from other ministries,
including steel and power.
Source: PTI