Coal blocks of SKS Ispat and Power Ltd (Rawanwara North) and Bhushan Steel Ltd (New Patrapara) have been de-allocated following the recommendations of the inter-ministerial group (IMG) going into the coal block allocation scam.
This would take the total count of de-allocated blocks to seven. The IMG, which is meeting almost daily, is reviewing two more blocks on Monday, sources said.
Gourangdih ABC block allocated to Sajjan Jindal-promoted JSW Steel Ltd and Himachal EMTA Power Ltd, a joint venture between Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (HPPCL) and Kolkata-based Eastern Mineral and Trading Agency (EMTA), have already been de-allocated.
The de-allocation of this block was signed by Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal on Monday. Gourangdih, located in Raniganj, West Bengal, was awarded to the contractors in July 2009 with geological reserves of 68.85 million tonnes.
The Minister also gave his nod for forfeiting bank guarantee of Nerad Malegaon block in Wardha Maharashtra. The block was awarded to Gupta Metallics & Power Ltd and Gupta Coalfields & Washeries Ltd in January 13, 2006. The block has estimated geological reserves of 19.5 million tonnes.
Similarly, Bhushan Ltd (Bijahan block), Tata Sponge Iron Ltd (Radhikapur; East) and Usha Martin (Lohari) will have to forego their bank guarantee for not meeting milestones of exploring captive mines.
CBI probe
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started examining officials named in the first set of FIRs. The agency interrogated Arvind Jayaswal, Director at AMR Iron and Steel Private Ltd, sources said.
The other persons named including Congress Member of Parliament Vijay Darda would also be examined soon.