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IMG meet on Sept 12 to decide fate of coal blocks
The Inter-Ministerial Group's (IMG) report on the fate of 29 coal blocks, which it examined last week, is expected to be finalised within the next a few days as it would meet again on September 12 to study the status of each block including its past background and also the views of various end-use ministries like power and steel, before taking a final decision on these reserves.
Some of the players whose blocks were reviewed by the panel between September 6 and 8, include — Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), Reliance Power, Bhushan Steel, among others.
Though the panel (headed by Additional Secretary in Coal Ministry Zohra Chatterji) reviewed only blocks allocated to private entities for captive usage, sources informed that before September 15 (the deadline set for itself by the Government on taking action on blocks given show cause notices by Coal Ministry earlier this year), it would also review all the blocks allocated to state-owned companies and ultra mega power projects (UMPPs).
In all, there are 58 blocks under review, which had been issued show cause notices in April this year by the Coal Ministry for failing to start work within the stipulated time frame.
Coal Ministry officials informed that the IMG is currently seeking views of ministries of Steel and Power as the captive blocks were mainly given to private entities for end-use related to steel, power and cement sectors. Apart from this, views of the Finance Ministry would also be sought on the matter, sources added.
During the September 12 meeting, the IMG members are expected to discuss the views of the end-use ministries and also go through the status paper of each block including history of previous reviews and action taken if any.
Sources in the know said that it would be too premature at this stage to predict IMG's decision with regard to these blocks as the panel would firm up its views only after the September 12 meeting and after reviewing the status of all the blocks allocated to State-owned entities and UMPPs.
A statement issued by the Coal Ministry on Monday said, "the next meeting of the IMG will be held on September 12 ...To deliberate and finalise its recommendations in respect of allocatees/companies which made presentations before it.”
It further said that “presentations were made by the allocatees of 29 coal blocks in reply to show cause notices issued to them (for failure to develop the blocks as per stipulated timeframe)”.
The statement added that the allocatees were asked to provide documents indicating the current status, duly certified by the authorised representative, besides the details of investment made vis-a-vis the plans for developing the blocks, certified by Chartered Accountant.
They were also required to submit investment details in respect of end-use plant, the statement said, adding, “The self certification as per CA certificate and physical progress reported by the companies was taken on record and the authorised representatives were given an opportunity to be heard by the IMG.”
To facilitate further deliberations, the IMG said that coal controller/Ministry of Coal will provide a status paper for each block including history of previous reviews and action.
The Inter-Ministerial Group's (IMG) report on the fate of 29 coal blocks, which it examined last week, is expected to be finalised within the next a few days as it would meet again on September 12 to study the status of each block including its past background and also the views of various end-use ministries like power and steel, before taking a final decision on these reserves.
Some of the players whose blocks were reviewed by the panel between September 6 and 8, include — Jindal Steel and Power Ltd (JSPL), Reliance Power, Bhushan Steel, among others.
Though the panel (headed by Additional Secretary in Coal Ministry Zohra Chatterji) reviewed only blocks allocated to private entities for captive usage, sources informed that before September 15 (the deadline set for itself by the Government on taking action on blocks given show cause notices by Coal Ministry earlier this year), it would also review all the blocks allocated to state-owned companies and ultra mega power projects (UMPPs).
In all, there are 58 blocks under review, which had been issued show cause notices in April this year by the Coal Ministry for failing to start work within the stipulated time frame.
Coal Ministry officials informed that the IMG is currently seeking views of ministries of Steel and Power as the captive blocks were mainly given to private entities for end-use related to steel, power and cement sectors. Apart from this, views of the Finance Ministry would also be sought on the matter, sources added.
During the September 12 meeting, the IMG members are expected to discuss the views of the end-use ministries and also go through the status paper of each block including history of previous reviews and action taken if any.
Sources in the know said that it would be too premature at this stage to predict IMG's decision with regard to these blocks as the panel would firm up its views only after the September 12 meeting and after reviewing the status of all the blocks allocated to State-owned entities and UMPPs.
A statement issued by the Coal Ministry on Monday said, "the next meeting of the IMG will be held on September 12 ...To deliberate and finalise its recommendations in respect of allocatees/companies which made presentations before it.”
It further said that “presentations were made by the allocatees of 29 coal blocks in reply to show cause notices issued to them (for failure to develop the blocks as per stipulated timeframe)”.
The statement added that the allocatees were asked to provide documents indicating the current status, duly certified by the authorised representative, besides the details of investment made vis-a-vis the plans for developing the blocks, certified by Chartered Accountant.
They were also required to submit investment details in respect of end-use plant, the statement said, adding, “The self certification as per CA certificate and physical progress reported by the companies was taken on record and the authorised representatives were given an opportunity to be heard by the IMG.”
To facilitate further deliberations, the IMG said that coal controller/Ministry of Coal will provide a status paper for each block including history of previous reviews and action.
