Coal ministry deallocates six more blocks

New Delhi: The government today deallocated six coal blocks given to companies like Hindalco and Tata Power for captive use, following delay in production. The coal ministry has also decided to deallocate another six coal blocks allocated to companies like JSPL, Sterlite Energy and Lanco, but the decision has been put on hold in view of cases pending in courts. [caption id=“attachment_1397101” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  More coal blocks deallocated. Getty Images[/caption] The ministry had on Monday deallocated 10 coal blocks allocated to firms, including Adani Power, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), Uttam Galva Steels and ACC Cements. The deallocations follows an inter inter-ministerial group’s (IMG) recommendation in this regard. The IMG was set up under the chairmanship of additional secretary, coal, to review the progress of development of captive coal blocks alloted to private companies. The IMG has members from various ministries, including steel and power. The coal block “allocated to your company…is deallocated forthwith”, the coal ministry said separate communications to AMR Iron & Steel, Century Textiles and Industries, J K Cement Ltd, Hindalco Industries and Tata Power. The blocks which are deallocated forthwith includes mine block jointly alloted to AMR Iron & Steel, Century Textiles and Industries and JK Cement Ltd; Tubed block allocated to both Hindalco Industries and Tata Power and Rajhara North (Central and Eastern) coal block jointly allocated to Mukund Ltd and Vinni Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd, the ministry said. In a separate communication to JSPL, Sterlite Energy, Lanco and Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd, the coal ministry said, “The recommendations of IMG (Inter Ministerial Group) have been considered and accepted by the competent authority on 11 February 2014. However, further action is put of hold.” Another six blocks where further action with regard to the blocks have been put on hold due to cases pending in the court are Palma IV/6 coal block allocated to Jindal Steel and Power Ltd and Nalwa Sponge Iron Ltd, Rampia and Dip side of Rampia coal block allocated to firms like Sterlite Energy, Lanco and GMR Energy, Rajgamar Dipside (South of Pulakdih Nala) coal block jointly alloted to Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd among others. PTI