Deallocation of mines: IMG may miss deadline

The much-awaited September 15 deadline by which an Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) is expected to submit its report on deallocation of 58 coal blocks is likely to be missed.

The much-awaited September 15 deadline by which an Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) is expected to submit its report on deallocation of 58 coal blocks is likely to be missed.

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Reason: Sources in the government say that of the 58 coal blocks the IMG has called only 25 coal block allottees are likely to present their progress report on September 6, 7 and 8. These are the three days when the IMG would meet to hear the allottee firm's viewpoint over non-progress in their respective coal blocks. It is not clear when the remaining 33 allottees would present their case.

"The IMG needs to make a thorough assessment of the progress of each of these coal blocks before it can recommend a de-allocation," said the government official.

He added that many times coal mining has not progressed due to delay in environment and forest clearances that come from government ministries.

"If the IMG recommends de-allocation without giving a proper hearing to the allottee firms then they might get a stay from courts."

Hindalco, Tata Power, Monnet Ispat, Jindal Steel and Power Ltd and Usha Martin are among the allottees which would be called by the IMG.