Government on Monday ruled out cancellation of any coal block allocation till the inter- ministerial group (IMG), constituted to review the issue, submits its report.

“We have constituted the IMG, which is reviewing 58 coal blocks. It has been asked to submit its report in a time-bound manner and latest by September 15. After that we will decide,” Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal told reporters. He added that “the (number of) coal blocks which have been reviewed and issued show-cause notices so far is 58. Of these 58, 20 are such which have been reviewed by the CAG”.

Govt has already issued notices to 58 blocks: 33 allotted to govt firms & 25 to pvt entities

Amid the raging row over coal block allocation, as many as 90 mines face the threat of de-allocation as these are under scanner for non-production. Of these, 58 coal blocks are in the immediate focus with an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) set to decide their fate today. The government has already issued de-allocation notices to these 58 blocks - 33 allotted to government firms and 25 to private entities.

Committee on natural resources punctures PM’s claims on mine allocation
VIKAS DHOOT NEW DELHI

Sushma Swaraj said the BJP would allow Parliament to function if the coal block allocations were cancelled

Despite the Opposition pressure, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has categorically ruled out the possibility of cancelling the allocation of controversial coal blocks and ordering a judicial probe into the alleged scam. Earlier in the day, leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj, said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would allow Parliament to function if the coal block allocations were cancelled and an independent inquiry was ordered.

The Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet has approved a new land policy framework which seeks to remove arbitrary allotment of land for industries.

The functioning of state-run power companies has come under strong criticism from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).

The CAG has faulted NHPC, THDC, SJVN and NEEPCO for poor implementation of their hydro power projects, resulting in Rs.14,700 crore cost over-runs. In its report tabled in Parliament on Friday, the CAG has stated that delay in implementing 16 hydro power projects by power PSUs leads to cost over-runs of Rs.14,700. “Delay in execution of 16 projects by four Central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) resulted in revision of their initial approved cost of Rs.30,005 crore to Rs.44,712 crore.

Power Ministry did not follow instructions from PMO

Will Take Up Issue Of Govt’s Failure To Encash Bank Guarantees With PAC

New Delhi The axe is likely to fall on about two dozen captive coal block allottees that feature in both the CAG list of companies making windfall gains and the list of entities that were issued show-cause notices by the coal ministry last year for sluggish progress on their respective projects.

Prominent companies, including Tatas, Essar, ArcelorMittal, GVK Power, Hindalco, Grasim Industries, JSW and Bhushan Steel, feature in the list where the coal ministry feels that allocations should be cancelled unless valid ground for delay is established. The ministry has already issued show cause notices to around 58 captive coal block allottees and about 20-24 of them also feature in the CAG list that is being targeted by the ministry for first round of cancellations.