Govt re-looking at deallocation of 4 coal blocks of JSMDC

The Coal Ministry is re-examining the issue of deallocation of four blocks of Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation as recommended by the inter- ministerial group, following a request from the state government.

"The Coal Ministry had earlier received a representation from Jharkhand government with regard to four mines of Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corp (JSMDC) which were recommended to be taken back by IMG.

Following which, the Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal asked his ministry to look into the matter and again put up the file before him for approval," a source in the Coal Ministry said.

The Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) on coal blocks had last year recommended that four coal blocks-- Rabodih, Patratu, Latehar and Pindra-Debipur-Khowatand -- allocated to JSMDC be taken back for delays in production.

The Coal Ministry had issued notices to JSMDC last year for not developing the four mines within the stipulated time- frame.

Last year, the government had cancelled licences of 24 mines and imposed penalties like deducting bank guarantees of many others.

Several big firms like JSPL, ArcelorMittal, GVK Power, JSW Steel, Bhushan Steel had to face penal action -- either cancellation of allotments or forfeiture/deduction of bank guarantee.

A total of 58 mines were issued show-cause notices for their failure to develop blocks within the stipulated timeline.

The government had formed the IMG in July to review progress of coal blocks allocated to firms for captive use.