De-allocation of coal blocks by the government has been one of the poignant development in the recent times. The Coal Ministry deallocated 11 coal blocks in November 2013 based on the recommendations of inter-ministerial group's (IMG).
The companies whose allotments were cancelled include Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) and Monnet Ispat & Energy. JSPL ended up losing three blocks. Out of these, two blocks — Ramchandi Promotional and Amarkonda Murgadangal — were allocated to JSPL alone, while the third (Urtan North) held along with Monnet Ispat and Energy, will have to be surrendered to the Government. Birla Corporation had to give up Bikram coal block in Madhya Pradesh.
The other companies that have lost their mines this time include Rungta Mines, OCL India, Ocean Ispat,Topworth Steel, Rathi Udyog, and Sunflag Iron Steel and Castron.

The inter-ministerial group (IMG) on coal blocks was formed by the government in 2012 to review the progress of coal blocks allocated to firms for captive use and recommend action, including de-allocation.
According to the IMG, of the total 195 coal blocks allocated to both public and private firms, only 30 mines had begun production. In 2012, the Coal ministry issued show-cause notices to 58 coal block allottees and de-allocated more than 10 coal blocks including the Bhushan Steel’s New Patrapara block in Odisha. The main reason cited for de-allocation of the captive coal blocks was the lack of progress of development of the blocks.
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