Stung by court posers, Coal Ministry slaps show-cause on 61 private firms.

The Coal Ministry has warned 61 private firms including Jindal Steel and Power, Tata Steel, ArcelorMittal and Adani Power that their captive coalmines will be de-allocated if they have not obtained forest and environment clearances.

The firms have to file replies to the show-cause by February 12, failing which their coal blocks would be de-allocated.

Among the 61 companies are Hindalco, JSW Steel, Essar Power, Tata Power, GVK Power and Infrastructure, Ultratech Cement, Reliance Energy, Sterlite Energy, JP Associates, Hindustan Zinc Limited and Rungta Mines.

The ministry's move comes in the backdrop of the Supreme Court reserving judgment on the issue. The court posed some tough questions on the allocation process and questioned the Centre on the functioning of the screening committee that made allotment recommendations.

The Hindu