SC issues notice to seven states over coal blocks

The Supreme Court Thursday issued notice to seven states seeking their response on the allocation of coal blocks by the central government in their territories.

The states are West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra.

The apex court bench headed by Justice R.M. Lodha sought the response of the state governments on four counts: 1. "How did the states understand the allocation of coal blocks by the central government?"; 2. "What was the role of state governments in allocation of coal blocks?"; 3. "And what was the role of state governments in subsequent steps, having regard to the provisions of Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act?"

And 4. Details of the agreement entered into by the state public sector undertakings with private companies on the mining of the coal blocks allocated to them.