The Government has allocated 218 coal blocks to various public and private sector companies in pursuance of Section 3 of the Coal Mines ( Nationalisation) Act, 1973. Out of the allocated blocks, 42 coal blocks have been de-allocated so far. Out of the 42 de-allocated blocks, 2 blocks have been allocated again. The coal blocks were allotted to Private companies on the basis of the recommendations of the Screening Committee, which was a broad based body with representation from State Government, concerned Ministries of the Central Government and the Coal companies. CBI has registered Preliminary Enquiry cases to investigate the alleged irregularities in allocation of coal blocks to private companies from 2006 to 2009 and from 1993 to 2004. In addition, a Preliminary Enquiry has also been registered to investigate irregularities in allocation of coal blocks to Public Sector Companies. As informed by CBI, in respect of 9 companies 9 FIRs have been registered. The Ministry of Coal has also issued show cause notices to 8 companies. In case of one company, the coal block was already de-allocated.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal, Shri Pratik Prakashbapu Patil in a written reply in Rajya sabha today.