The Coal Ministry is on track to meet the deadline of September 15 for deciding on the 29 coal blocks allotted to private firms whose review has been undertaken by an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG).
Controller and Auditor General (CAG) has estimated that around Rs. 1.86 Crore undue benefits have been received by the private firms on account of allocation of coal blocks without auction. After that, the Coal Ministry has proposed to submit its report to IMG by September 15.
Out of the 58 coal allocations around 29 private firms who failed to develop the blocks as per schedule have given representations to the IMG are meeting again.
The meeting assumes significance as the Finance Ministry has reportedly voiced objections over de-allocations of mines.
Tata Steel, Reliance Power, JSW, Grasim Industries, Kesoram Industries, IST Steel & Power, SKS Ispat and Power, Bihar Sponge Iron, among others, had appeared before the panel.
As per sources, it may also decide the dates for assessing the performance of the blocks allotted to PSUs, without auction.
Around 30 coal blocks, of the 58 that have been issued showcause notices for delaying production, are with public sector firms, including MMTC, Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation and Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation.
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