Coal Minister Goyal seeks update on missing files

All these FIRs are rooted in three preliminary enquiries related to coal blocks allotted between 2006 and 2009, 1993 and 2004 and projects given under the government dispensation scheme.

Goyal said the Ministry of Coal has been through a difficult patch since 2010 on account of various issues, including classification of potential mining blocks as “go” and “no-go” areas, which badly affected coal output.  “The coal ministry has had some difficult times, particularly since 2010, when the ‘go' and ‘no-go' areas were introduced.

After a huge hue and cry, it was removed only to be replaced by an inviolate areas policy,” he said.  The minister said he had a meeting with Prakash Javadekar, Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, and expressed hope that issues stalling coal block development would be sorted out.

“It was a very cordial meeting. We flagged off urgent issues and we found the response to be absolutely wonderful,” he said.

On ensuring coal supply to power plants, he said efforts would be made to augment production and meet the shortfall through imports.