Question : ALLOCATION OF COAL BLOCKS MINES

(a) the details of coal blocks/mines allocated to both public and private sector companies, during the last ten years, year-wise;

(b) whether CBI is conducting investigations in regard to irregularities committed in coal blocks allocation between the year 1993 to 2004 and 2006 to 2009 in a proper manner;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the present status thereon;

(d) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure proper investigation into the matter;

(e) whether the Government has cancelled some of the said allocation; and

(f) if so, the details and the reasons therefor along with the present status of each coal block/mine allocated during the said period?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR COAL, POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) : A total of 177 coal blocks were allocated during the period 2004 to 2011 and no coal block allocation has been made thereafter till date. The year wise details of these 177 coal blocks are given in the Annexure. Further, under the “Auction by Competitive Bidding of Coal Mines Rules, 2012”, 17 coal blocks have been decided for allocation to various Central/State Public Sector Undertakings.

(b) to (d): As reported by Central Bureau of investigation (CBI), it has registered 3 Preliminary Enquiry cases since May, 2012 regarding alleged irregularities in allocation of coal blocks – relating to allocation of coal blocks to private companies during the period 2006-09, relating to allocation of coal blocks to private companies during the period 1993-2004 and relating to allocation of coal blocks to Government companies. The investigation by CBI is monitored by Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. In view of the various observations of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in W.P.(Criminal) No.120 of 2012, it is not possible for the Ministry of Coal to obtain any details from CBI in this regard. So far, no coal block has been de-allocated based on the investigation by CBI.

(e) & (f): The Government periodically monitors and reviews the development of allocated blocks as well as end use plants by the allocattee companies in the review meetings by the then Review Committee and Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) now. Wherever delays are noticed, Government issues show cause notices and advisories to such allocattees cautioning them to bring the coal blocks into production as per the guidelines/milestones chart. Based on the recommendations of the then Review Committee and the IMG now, the Government has so far de-allocated 72 coal blocks out of 177 coal blocks allocated during the said period. The details of such de-allocated coal blocks along with the reasons for de-allocation as well as the present status of the remaining coal blocks is incorporated in the Annexure.