The fate of fourteen coal blocks allocated to public sector companies is all set to be decided as the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) will likely hold a meeting on Monday, Nov. 19, to take a decision on the same.

An official familiar with the developments in the coal ministry said, "The IMG is likely to meet tomorrow to decide the fate of 14 coal blocks alloted to public sector firms."

In October, the IMG issued notices to public sector firms awarded with 33 coal blocks for delays in production. It scrutinized 19 coal blocks and recommended de-allocation of eight blocks.

The fate of remaining fourteen coal blocks allotted to public sector firms will be decided today.

So far, the government has de-allocated thirteen coal blocks allocated to private firms. The government also ordered the imposition of bank guarantees and deduction in six and two cases, respectively.

The coal ministry had issued show-cause notices to allottees of a total of fifty-eight coal blocks for their failure in developing blocks within set timeframe and giving satisfactory explanations for that.

The IMG was set up in July this year to evaluate the progress of coal blocks allocated to companies for captive use, after national auditor CAG estimated arbitrary allotment of coal blocks to private companies had robbed the exchequer of Rs 1.86 lakh crore.