The Comptroller and Auditor General’s report allocation of coal blocks is likely to put the Centre in a fix. The sources said that the government gave away coal mines to several private entities without calling anyone for auctions. This was reportedly nothing but an undue advantage of the government. And the amount of undue advantage of the government pertaining to allocation of coal mines is around Rs. 10.67 lakh crore. Since 2004, the number of coal mines that were given without any auction are 155 mines and 100 companies allegedly got the lease of the mines even though there was no auction.

The sources have said that the final report given by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to the Centre on May 11 is likely to be tabled today on the last day of the budget sessions of the parliament. After CAG received criticism over the report, CAG came down heavily on the allegations and said CAG auditors didn’t make any fundamental errors.

We have to wait and watch for another couple of hours to know whether or not the Centre is going to table the final report of Comptroller and Auditor General.  (Phani)