218 coal blocks will be put under the hammer once again
Supreme Court had declared the allocation of coal block illegal last week. (Photo: PTI)
New Delhi: The Centre told the Supreme Court that it “wants re-auction of all 218 coal blocks” whose allocation was declared as illegal last week, but sought exemption of 40 of them which are functional and ready for end-use power plants.
Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi submitted before a bench headed by Chief Justice R.M. Lodha that the 40 mines for which requisite clearances have been on board and are operational must not be treated with “one brush” and “can be exempted” from cancellation and re-auction, provided they meet the condition of compensating the loss of Rs 295 per tonne caused to the government and enter into a power purchase agreement at Rs 95 per tonne to make up the loss.
He said the Centre was not in favour of a committee comprising its retired judges, as suggested by the apex court, to analyse the consequences of the verdict.
While asking the Centre to file an affidavit on its stand, the bench said, “Union is very clear that auction should take place. They are very clear that all the 218 coal blocks be put under auction”.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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