25 APR, 2012, SARITA C SINGH, ET BUREAU
NEW DELHI: The coal ministry on Wednesday said that no irregularities were reported in allotment of coal blocks to commercial entities during 2004-09.
Minister of State for Coal Pratik Prakashbapu Patil said of 218 coal blocks allotted so far, 174 were allocated to 267 companies during 2004-09.
"Of the 174 coal blocks, 21 coal blocks are de-allocated. Hence 153 coal blocks stand allocated to 245 companies out of the above", he told Lok Sabha in a written reply.
Thirteen members of the house wanted to know whether irregularities had been reported in allocation of coal blocks to commercial entities during 2004-09 causing Rs 10.7 lakh crore loss to government and gains to many private companies, as alleged by a draft report of the Comptroller and Auditor General ( CAG).
The minister replied in the negative when asked whether tenders were invited and auction was done for allocation of coal blocks.
He said the Amendment of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, enabling the introduction of allocation of coal blocks through auction by competitive bidding took time for its enactment and notification of Rules made thereunder.
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