Government seeks details from cancelled coal blocks

NEW DELHI: The coal ministry has sought details of employees engaged and land ownership from miners of 204 captive coal blocks that have been cancelled by the Supreme Court. The ministry has written letters to the owners of 204 coal blocks, including 80 blocks cancelled earlier for delayed development.

A government official said the details would help the government in preparing a roadmap for the coal sector and deciding on allocating blocks to Coal India Ltd. "We need to have all this information on the blocks, before deciding which blocks will be given to Coal India or other CPSEs and which blocks will be put on auction," he said.

The letters seek specific details of employees engaged by the companies at various positions, including managerial and supervisory staff and laborers. The companies, however, are not required to furnish details of contractual labour engaged by mine developing and operating agencies.

The companies have also been asked to submit status of ownership of land as on September 24, the day when the Supreme Court pronounced its verdict cancelling 204 coal blocks, and October 6.