The Union Government is likely to issue show cause notices to the holders of at least 32 captive coal blocks.
These companies will be asked to explain why they failed to develop the blocks, and if the government is not satisfied with their responses, the allocations may be cancelled. An IMG (inter-ministerial group), looking into the issue of development of coal blocks, had recently recommended that the notices should be sent. Once the coal minister gives the go-ahead, these notices will be served.
Earlier, the government had already de-allocated coal blocks in 22 cases, and bank guarantees have been forfeited in case of another 36 entities.