DNA reported the article 'Guess who’s got the steel to get coal on the block' (DNA, Sept 25) regarding ‘irregularities’ in the allocation of Kotre Basantpur Pachmo Coal Block to TATA Steel is misleading and does not give the true picture.

TATA Steel was allotted the coal block after it complied with all regulations and processes.

TATA Steel’s 1997 application for a coal block was considered by a screening committee that recommended allocation after much deliberation and scrutiny. The block was allocated to Tata Steel in August 2005.

Land for the block was acquired under the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development Act) 1957 by the Central Govt and theright in and over this land was vested with Central Coalfields Ltd. (CCL). Therefore, after the allotment, CCL sought a clarification from the Ministry of Coal on the issue. The matter was referred to Ministry of Law that clarified that the rights over this coal block could be transferred to Tata Steel as it was found eligible to undertake coal mining for captive use in terms of the provisions of the Coal Mine

Nationalization Act, 1973. Subsequently, CCL transferred this coal block to Tata Steel after collecting due compensation.

This issue has been raised in the past and has been amply clarified by the coal and law ministries that there were no irregularities or breach of law in transferring the coal block to TATA Steel.

Source - dnaindia.com

(www.coalguru.com)