Some or most of the coal blocks that are being de-allocated by the government can be given to state-run Coal India Ltd. (CIL), the company's chairman said on Tuesday.

Speaking to reporters after the state-run company's annual general meeting, S Narsing Rao said, "Without pre-judging or anticipating anything, if coal blocks are de-allocated, it is likely that the government would give some or most of them to us."

So far, the government has de-allocated five coal blocks on the recommendations of the Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG), which is, headed by additional coal secretary Zohra Chatterji, is reviewing licences allotted to private companies that have failed to commence mining operations in time.

As licences to many more coal companies are still under scrutiny, one can expect more de-allocations in recent future.

However, Mr. Rao claimed that CIL's expectation about getting some or most of the de-allocated coal blocks was not based on any assurance from the government.

On being asked if CIL would supply imported coal at discounted prices, Mr. Rao said the company's legal and financial interests would not be jeopardized under any circumstances.

In its Tuesday's meeting, CIL board approved the modified version of the Fuel Supply Agreement (FSA). The modified version of the agreement has modifications in penalty and moratorium on penalty, among many other changes. By approving the agreement, the company has agreed to pay penalties of 1.5 per cent to 40 per cent if it fails to deliver the committed quantity of coal to power companies.