(a) whether an inter-ministerial committee has investigated a number of cases of alleged diversion of coal extracted from coal blocks;
(b) if so, the number of such cases investigated by the said committee during the last three years;
(c) the number of companies found to be involved in such illegal activities; and
(d) the action taken against the said companies by the Government so far?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a) Yes Sir, six Inter-Ministerial Committees were constituted to inter alia investigate extraction of surplus coal and diversion of coal extracted by allottee companies from Chotia, Vijay Central, Belgaon, Gare Palma IV/5, Baranj-I to IV, Manoradeep, Kiloni, Marki Mangli-I, Gare Palma IV/1, Gare Palma-IV/2, Gare Palma-IV/3 and Gare Palma-IV/6 coal blocks before cancellation of the above-mentioned coal blocks by Hon’ble Supreme Court.
(b) to (d) During the last three years, i.e. 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17, following cases were investigated by the Inter-Ministerial Committees :-
(i) Inter-Ministerial Committee was constituted on 13.08.2013 for furnishing a Report inter alia on diversion/selling of coal from Gare Palma IV/1, Gare Palma-IV/2, Gare Palma-IV/3 and Gare Palma-IV/6 coal blocks allocated to M/s. Jindal Group. The Inter-Ministerial Committee submitted its Report dated 05.05.2014 concluding that there appears to be no surplus coal production and the coal produced from the mine was dispatched to end use plants. No tansit and ground loss of coal was found. The coal consumption reported by the company was generally in order. The Report was examined in the Ministry of Coal and no action was taken against M/s. Jindal Group. It was decided to await the outcome of CBI investigation which is separately investigating the issue.
(ii) Inter-Ministerial Committee was constituted on 17.04.2014 for furnishing a Report inter alia on diversion/theft of coal produced from Marki Mangli-I coal block allocated to M/s. B.S. Ispat Ltd. The Inter-Ministerial Committee submitted its report to the Government on 19.01.2016 concluding that it appears that no surplus coal was produced and there was negligible transit and ground loss of coal since start of production from the said coal block. Accordingly, no action was taken against M/s. B.S. Ispat.
(iii) Inter-Ministerial Committee was re-constituted on 05.05.2014 for furnishing a Report inter alia on extraction of surplus coal from Gare Palma IV/5 coal block allocated to M/s. Monnet Ispat Ltd. The Inter-Ministerial Committee submitted its Report on 22.10.2014 to the Government concluding that no surplus coal was produced since start of production from the said coal block. The Report was examined by the Government and it was decided to close the case.
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