The inter-ministerial group (IMG) on Friday reviewed seven coal blocks and
recommended de-allocation of Gourangdih ABC block in Raniganj, West Bengal, which was allotted to JSW Steel and Himachal EMTA Power Ltd on July 10, 2009.
JSW Steel is owned by Sajjan Jindal, the elder brother of Congress MP Naveen Jindal.
Himachal EMTA is a joint venture between the Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd and the Eastern Minerals and Trading Agency (EMTA).
According to media reports, EMTA has connections with many political parties. EMTA allegedly bagged joint ventures in states like Punjab, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand due to its
proximity to the respective state governments.
Earlier on Friday, Union coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal said that "licences of more companies will be cancelled". He made this statement immediately after attending a meeting on infrastructure projects convened by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram.
In a related development, Union power minister Veerappa Moily said that
coal blocks which will be deallocated after reviewing their status should be allocated to upcoming power projects.
"This is our priority because coal will contribute more to the power sector," he said.
Courtesy: Mail Today 
PHOTO: Associated Press 
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