Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Coal

27-November-2012 13:27 IST

The Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) on coal has reviewed 66 coal blocks so far in its 17 meetings. With respect to the allocations made to the Private Companies, after hearing the allocatees the IMG has recommended de-allocation of 13 coal blocks allocated to 29 companies, deduction of Bank Guarantee in the cases of 14 blocks allocated to 19 companies and imposition of BG in case of 1 coal block. No action has been recommended in cases of 3 coal blocks allocated to 2 companies. The recommendations of the IMG have been accepted by the Government and action is initiated accordingly.

Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) on coal headed by Additional Secretary (Coal) having representatives from the Ministries of Law & Justice, Power, Steel, Deptt. of Economic Affairs and Indl. Policy and Promotion. The Terms of Reference (ToR) of IMG are:

i) To undertake periodic review of the progress of the allocated coal blocks and to recommend action including de-allocation if required.

ii) To consider replies to show cause notices and recommend action.

iii) To make assessment and recommend action as to deduction of Bank Guarantee.

iv) Any matter where a reference is made by the Competent Authority.

This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal, Shri Pratik Prakashbapu Patil in a written reply in Lok sabha today.

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NCJ/ RV

De-allocation of coal blocks recommended, with bank guarantee deductions and impositions; government accepted and initiated action. The Inter-Ministerial Group reviewed allocated coal blocks and recommended de-allocation of certain privately allocated blocks, deduction of bank guarantees in multiple cases, imposition of a bank guarantee in one case, and no action in a few instances; the Government accepted these recommendations and initiated corresponding administrative action.