New Delhi: Crisil, consultant to the Coal Ministry for fixing reserve price for auction of 54 mines, is likely to submit its report next week even as the government is battling charges of irregularities in allocation of coal blocks without auction between 2005 and 2009.
"Crisil in all likelihood will submit its report by next week," a ministry official told media.
Based on the report, the government would initiate the bidding process for allocation of mines, he said.
The well-known financial consultancy firm, is assisting the ministry in the midst of furore over coal blocks allocation without auction.
A political furore followed the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) estimating undue benefits to private players to the tune of Rs 1.86 lakh crore on account of 57 mines given without auction.
The Coal Ministry has identified 54 new coal blocks for auction to the bidders for captive use in different sectors - 16 for power, 12 for steel and 12 for government firms, among other sectors.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram recently said that the government has asked Crisil to expedite the process and the bidding documents are being prepared in consultation with the State Governments.
PTI
First Published: Friday, September 07, 2012, 21:01