With the opposition seeking cancellation of coal blocks allocated during 2004-09, the Inter-Ministerial Group, headed by Additional Secretary (Coal), Zohra Chatterjee, is meeting next week to take a call on the 58 blocks that the private and public sector companies have failed to develop within the given timeframe.
The decision on the coal blocks, that have come under scanner due to the recent report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) pointing out discrepancies in allotment, could come at a time when the CBI is also closing in on its investigations in the matter. Recently, the Coal Ministry had issued show cause notices to 35 government and 23 private companies asking why action should not be taken against them under the law for their failure to develop the allocated coal mines for captive use within the given timeframe.