CIL union hails SC observations on coal mine allocation

NEW DELHI: Coal India's trade union AICWF today hailed the observations made by the Supreme Court on coal mine allocations and demanded that they be cancelled.

"The AICWF welcomes the observation of Supreme Court regarding proven irregularity in coal-block allocation to private entities and corrective action thereon," All India Coal Workers' Federation said in a statement.

The statement comes in the wake of the apex court observing that the huge investments made by companies in coal blocks, without getting clearance, can't be a ground for not cancelling licences and asked the Centre to respond whether it intends to de-allocate such allocations.

AICWF General Secretary Jibon Roy demanded immediate action by the government for the cancellation.

These blocks should be handed over to Coal India, the statement said.

"The AICWF also demands fixation of responsibility of such wrong-doings with coal-blocks causing huge loss to national exchequer and stringent punishment of those guilty of such scandalous 'wrong'-doings," it added.