The Supreme Court's (SC) pulling up of the government for failing to cooperate with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the coal scam has sparked off speculation that the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) could cancel
the 164 allocated blocks. According to sources, the Congress core committee is set to discuss the issue.
Sources added that if a decision is made, the PMO would have to cancel the 164 blocks under scanner - a decision that might even be made early next week with the government then informing the SC in an affidavit afterwards. The sticking point, however, is that the case is being looked into by the apex court making any decision by the PMO complicated.
Plagued by a
series of corruption scandals, the party, sources said, is desperate to distance itself from the coal allocation controversy.
PM Manmohan Singh was also in charge of the coal ministry when the block were allocated.
"The PMO has to be saved from coal blocks allocations (case)... especially Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," a top source in the party said explaining the substance of the government's and the party's line.
Justice RM Lodha had on Wednesday said: "Even just reading the first three paras, it seems
CBI is struggling. There is nothing given to them." The SC complained that there had been a "lack of transparency" in the allocation.
In association with Mail Today 
PHOTO: Associated Press 
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