The coal ministry formally cancelled the allocation of Gourangdih ABC coal block of JSW Steel Ltd on Monday on the recommendation of the inter-ministerial group (IMG) that’s looking into controversial coalfield allotments, a senior official in the ministry said.
The block was jointly owned by JSW and Himachal EMTA Power Ltd, according to the coal ministry.
The ministry also ordered encashment of the bank guarantee ofGupta Metaliks and Power Ltd and Gupta Coalfields Ltd for the Nerad Malegaon block, the official said on condition of anonymity.
Two more blocks are expected to be cancelled on IMG’s recommendations after its meeting on Saturday. These are Rawanwara North block allocated to SKS Ispat and Power Ltd and New Patrapara block given to Bhushan Steel Ltd and others.
“We are waiting for the minutes of the meeting to come (for formally cancelling the blocks),†the senior official said. “They may come today or tomorrow.â€Â
It is also likely that the ministry will encash the bank guarantees offered by Usha Martin Ltd for the Lohari block, Tata Sponge Iron Ltd for the Radhikapur East block and Bhushan Ltd for the Bijahan block based on IMG’s recommendation.
The IMG is meeting again at 3pm on Monday when it will take up six-eight more coal block allocations to private companies
Source: LiveMint
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