IMG to review status of coal blocks this week

The Inter-Ministerial group (IMG) will review the status of around 15 new coal blocks tomorrow and decide on the fate of around 30 others, which have been issued show-cause notices, on Thursday and Friday.

"The IMG will meet for three days this week. Tomorrow it will review the status of development of around 15 coal blocks which are new cases. On October 24 and 25, it will take a call on all the 30 coal blocks which were issued show cause notices a couple of months back," a top Coal Ministry official said.

Representatives from various states will participate in the meetings on October 24 and 25, the official added.

The Coal Ministry is also likely to issue show-cause notices soon to allottees of 7 mines for failing to develop them on time, sources had earlier said.

The government had formed the IMG last year to review the progress of coal blocks allocated to firms for captive use and recommend action, including de-allocation.

The panel under the chairmanship of Additional Secretary in the Coal Ministry has members from other ministries including steel and power.