New Delhi, Jan 9
The central government Thursday told the Supreme Court it was examining the option of withdrawing the coal blocks allocated to private companies after 2006.
Attorney General G.E. Vahanvati told the bench headed by Justice R.M. Lodha that the court's views on de-allocation were under consideration of the government.
"I have given my personal views to the government. Government has taken up the matter. This view is being considered by the government," Vahanvati said.
"So, it is under consideration," Justice Lodha observed as Vahanvati told the court: "I will apprise the court of the outcome by Jan 15."
Hearing a public interest litigation seeking the cancellation of coal blocks allocated after 2006, the apex court On Jan 8 asked the Attorney General if the coal blocks could be de-allocated.
Vahanvati then told the court it was possible as no substantial development was made and that by Thursday he would seek the government's response to the court's query.
The allocation under scanner concerns 32 coal blocks allocated after 2006 to private companies by the screening committee of the coal ministry.
By:IANS