Question : ALLOCATION OF COAL BLOCKS

(a) whether the case registered in connection with various coal blocks allocation in the country has been reviewed by the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether Central Bureau of Investigation have recently filed another FIR in the case of coal mining irregularities;

(d) if so, the total number of cases registered against the companies involved in fraud in allocation of coal mining blocks so far since 2001; and

(e) if so, the effective steps taken by the Government so far for the speedy settlement of the cases registered in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (c): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered 3 Preliminary Enquiry (PE) cases regarding alleged irregularities in allocation of coal blocks – relating to allocation of coal blocks to private companies during the period 2006-09, relating to allocation of coal blocks to private companies during the period 1993-2004 and relating to allocation of coal blocks to Government companies. As reported by CBI, it has registered First Information Report (FIR) in several cases.

(d) & (e): In view of the various observations of Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in W.P. (Criminal) No.120 of 2012, it would not be possible for the Ministry of Coal to obtain any details from CBI in this regard.