IMG likely to complete coal report by Sep 15: Bansal
September 13th, 2012 - 8:41 pm ICT by IANSShimla, Sep 13 (IANS) The inter-ministerial group (IMG) reviewing the coal block allocations to private firms is likely to complete its exercise by Sep 15, but “it’s a complex job”, union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said here Thursday.
“The IMG is reviewing the coal blocks case-by-case of those companies which had failed to meet the milestones. It can’t recommend cancellation of allotments enbloc. Many implications are linked to it. It can be challenged, even in the International Court of Arbitration,” Bansal told reporters here.
The union minister, who was here to clear the air after the Comptroller and Auditor General’s (CAG) recent report said private players had made windfall gains worth Rs.1.86 lakh crore in the 142 coal blocks allocated by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government 2006-09.
“Criminal action would be taken against those who have got licences by misrepresentation of facts. The cancellation would be legally, economically and politically incorrect,” he said.
“We don’t want to create an atmosphere of fear among the investors by cancelling allotment of 57 blocks for captive mining. It will give a wrong message that India is not a safe country for investment,” he added.
The IMG will recommend to the coal ministry de-allocation of those blocks where the companies have failed to set up end-use plants.
Clarifying the allotments made by the central government, Bansal said the policy for allotment was totally “fool proof and transparent”.
On surfacing of name of Congress leader and industrialist Naveen Jindal in the issue, he said he was allotted block during the NDA regime and at that time he was not even an MP.
Criticising the BJP, he said the opposition has just wasted the time of parliament by not discussing the issue in detail.
“The opposition has wasted 80 percent time of parliament by not allowing the house to run. They were shirking debate on the issue,” he said.
Replying to questions, Bansal said: “its not the mandate of the CAG to comment on policy issues of the government”.
- Inter-ministerial group reviews coal block allocations - Sep 03, 2012
- Government to cancel four coal blocks to private firms - Sep 13, 2012
- IMG deallocates 8th coal block, Plan panel for privatising mining - Sep 18, 2012
- Coal block allocations: Conspiracy behind BJP's demand, says government - Sep 04, 2012
- Congress questions CAG's credibility on coal report - Sep 10, 2012
- Cancelling coal blocks impossible: Congress - Sep 05, 2012
- Government rejects BJP's demands to end parliament logjam - Sep 03, 2012
- Facing allegations for being a Jaiswal: Coal minister - Sep 04, 2012
- Nexus between CAG and opposition can't be ruled out: UPA minister - Sep 13, 2012
- Coal block allocations made by best screening committee: Jaiswal - Aug 17, 2012
- Ministerial group begins review of coal block companies - Sep 06, 2012
- IMG on coal block allocation to meet again Sep 12 - Sep 10, 2012
- We respect CAG, says Congress after BJP complains to president - Sep 12, 2012
- BJP slams UPA, demands cancellation of coal blocks - Sep 10, 2012
- Congress questions CAG's credibility on coal report (Lead) - Sep 11, 2012
Tags: affairs minister, allotment, allotments, bansal, bjp, coal report, comptroller and auditor general, congress leader, crore, industrialist, international court of arbitration, jindal, ministerial group, parliamentary affairs, pawan kumar, private firms, private players, progressive alliance, union minister, windfall gains