IMC formed to inquire into sale of coal from JSPL mines

Government has set up an Inter- Ministerial Committee to inquire into the complaints received about theft and sale of coal in open market involving Jindal Steel and Power Ltd's coal mines in Chhattisgarh, Parliament was informed today.
"Complaints/representations from the members of Parliament have been received during the year 2013-2014 regarding theft/sale of coal in open market... As regards Gare Palma IV/1 and IV/2 coal blocks (allocated to JSPL)...The government has constituted an Inter-Ministerial Committee on December 24, 2013 to inquire into the matter," Minister of State for Coal Pratik Prakashbapu Patil said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

He further said that with regard to Marki Mangli-I coal block allocated to B S Ispat Pvt Ltd, Coal Controller's Organisation (CCO), Kolkata, conducted inspection and no information regarding theft of coal was found.
The inquiry in respect of Marki Mangli-II & III coal blocks allocated to Shree Virangana Steel Pvt Ltd is underway, the minister said.
"In respect of Ardhagram coal block (allocated to Sova Ispat Ltd and Jaibalaji Industries Ltd), inquiry conducted by the CCO found no discrepancy in dispatch of coal from mine and receipt at end use plants of allocatees," Patil said.
He added that to improve monitoring of production and utilisation of coal from the captive blocks which have come under production, state governments have been requested to include such monitoring as a regular agenda item in the meeting of the state level Monitoring Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary of the State.