We have not received CAG report on coal mines: Jaiswal

Says transparent process followed in giving mining rights to firms

The government today said it has not received any CAG report stating undue benefits of over Rs 1.8 lakh crore accrued to private companies in coal block allocations, as has been reported in the media.

"We have not received any such report," Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal told PTI on being asked about the media report which stated that according to the Comptroller and Auditor General's final report, undue benefits accrued to private firms in the allocation of blocks.

Coal blocks allocated between 2004-2009 without auction led to undue benefits of 1.8 lakh crore to private firms, said the report, quoting CAG.

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned till noon today after Opposition uproar over delay in tabling the CAG report on allocation of coal blocks.

In March, media reports had said that CAG's 'draft report' estimated a Rs 10.6 lakh crore loss to the exchequer on account of the allotments to 100 private and public sector companies.

According to media reports, CAG finally has brought down the value of such undue benefits to Rs 1.8 lakh crore.

Reacting to the draft report, Jaiswal had said in March that it had followed a transparent process in giving mining rights to the firms.

"We gave advertisements for allocation of coal blocks and invited applications...After the applications were received by us (Coal Ministry), the state governments were consulted and thereafter the coal blocks were allocated," he had said.

"The coal blocks are allocated through a screening committee, which is chaired by Coal Secretary," he had said.

Jaiswal, however, had said that the UPA-I started the practice of awarded coal blocks through advertisements, discontinuing the earlier practice.

He had said that between 1993 and 2004, scores of coal blocks were awarded without issuing any advertisements.