IMG critical of delayed info provided by coal min

CNBC-TV18 learns that the coal ministry dragged its feet on D-allocation of 58 blocks. Sources say internal differences within the ministry delayed the review. A meeting between the PMO and coal ministry happened on June 22 in which the inter-ministerial group (IMG) was given 30 days to examine the replies of the companies. The PMO and coal minister meet on coal FSAs post CAG report on May 11.

Coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said the IMG will take action on the 58 coal blocks that are under review if they find any irregularities. But the IMG did not even frame the guidelines till August 8. The coal secretary questioned the basis of de-allocation on two blocks of Jindal and Usha Martin.

The coal secretary had questioned the IMG recommendation of cancellation.

The IMG met again today wherein it complained about delayed information provided by the coal ministry. It has raised this issue with the coal secretary. IMG wants guidelines to be notified quickly and feels delays would make review difficult.

The IMG will meet again between September 6 and 8.  The IMG will ask companies that are under the scanner to present their case.

Meanwhile, the law ministry is of the view that IMG can only recommend de-allocation.