Take away 26 coal mines, says panel

An inter-ministerial group (IMG) has recommended the de-allocation of 26 coal mines after it reviewed the progress of 61 blocks. "Twenty-six coal blocks have been recommended for de-allocation by IMG in the two-day meeting on Friday and Saturday," a source said.

The names of companies hit by the recommendation could not be ascertained.

Notices had been issued to companies such as Tata Steel, Hindalco Industries and Jindal Steel & Power for delays in developing the coal blocks allotted to these.

The government had first decided to de-allocate all captive coal blocks that had yet to receive environment and in-principle forest clearances and had issued show-cause notices to allottees of 61 such mines.

This followed queries posed by the Supreme Court on the process of allocating coal blocks and the functioning of the screening committee that recommended the allotments.

The companies had been given until February 5 to obtain clearances and produce proof in support of approvals.

IMG considered the responses filed for 29 coal blocks allotted to companies, including Tata Steel, JSW Steel and Bhushan Power and Steel on February 7.

On Saturday, it took up the replies of the remaining 32 coal blocks allocated to firms such as Monnet Ispat and Energy and Jindal Steel and Power.