Guj CM had written a series of letters to PM since June 2010 seeking additional coal blocks for Guj Mineral Dev Corp

The Centre has turned down Gujarat government requests for coal blocks. Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi had written a series of letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh since June 2010 seeking additional coal blocks for Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) and allocation of an alternate coal block for the state-run company.

Agency seeks details of the period when Sushilkumar Shinde headed the ministry

After proceeding against a number of private companies given coal blocks, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is now questioning the power ministry.
It has sent questionnaires to the ministry, to know the basis on which it had recommended names of companies to the screening committee for allocation. Senior CBI officials indicate once the questionnaires are answered, it is likely the agency will call some officials for questioning.

The union government, it seems, will have to wait a little longer for the crucial Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill which was expected to be tabled in Parliament during the upcoming Budget Session.

The standing committee on rural development, which is examining the proposed legislation, is set to inform the Centre that it would miss the March 12 deadline. Also, it would need some more time to complete the deliberations and finalise the report.