Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 148]
Warning (2): Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php:853) [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 181]
Notice (8): Undefined variable: urlPrefix [APP/Template/Layout/printlayout.ctp, line 8]latest-news-updates/img-report-on-coal-scam-likely-by-saturday-17099.html"/> LATEST NEWS UPDATES | IMG report on coal scam likely by Saturday | Im4change.org
Resource centre on India's rural distress
 
 

IMG report on coal scam likely by Saturday

-The Times of India

The inter-ministerial group (IMG) reviewing coal block allocations that have been questioned by the federal auditor for being allotted arbitrarily could not complete its proceedings and is expected to meet again on Friday.

The IMG meeting could not complete its case-by-case assessment of 29 blocks allotted to private firms with the response of the private players being considered against the terms they are alleged to have violated.

Sources said the panel will try and complete its review of the blocks allotted to private players as well as those given to state-run firms so that a report can be submitted to the coal ministry by September 15. The group will consider options like acting against the bank guarantees and recommending de-allocation of mines.

"I am hopeful of receiving the first report by IMG on coal blocks by September 15," coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal told TOI.

The IMG is finding the going tough as it has to deal with a maze of conflicting claims with firms allocated coal blocks arguing that the process of getting clearances is so cumbersome that they cannot be blamed for not starting production. The cases where coal blocks were got through misrepresentation may be the easiest to act against.

The government is keen that IMG make its recommendations as this will help the Centre douse some of the heat over Coalgate. There are concerns though raised by the coal, finance, power and law ministries regarding legal and financial aspects of cancelling block allocations on a large scale.

There are indications that the group may recommend punitive action of forfeiting bank guarantee of some companies which had failed to meet the milestones. IMG considered the report of the coal controller after having heard representations of 29 private sector allottees, out of a total of 58, which failed to develop the blocks as per schedule.

The deadline for IMG to submit its report was set by the coal ministry after huge public outcry over irregularities in allocation of coal mines in the wake of CAG report estimating undue benefits of Rs 1.86 lakh crore to private firms on account of allocation without auction.

The group heard private firms such as Tata Steel, Reliance Power, JSW, Grasim Industries, Kesoram Industries, IST Steel & Power, SKS Ispat and Power, Bihar Sponge Iron, among others.