A new report on allocation of coal blocks by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India s set to be tabled in parliament.

The report was expected to be tabled on Thursday but it might be postponed as both houses of the parliament are likely to be adjourned as a mark of respect to Union minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, who passed away on 15 August.

According to estimates, the total loss from on-transparent allocation of coal blocks is about Rs 1.86 lakh crore. The report might suggest penalties and disincentives for nonperforming firms while the performers might be allotted with new blocks. The report is likely to lay the blame for loss on steering committee associated with the issue.

The CAG is likely to hold coal ministry responsible for failing to monitor the progress in mines. It might also offer criticism to its office in Kolkata for not conducting any field inspections. The cal ministry had earlier said in response to a leaked part of the report that observation of the auditor that due process was not followed in allocating blocks and insisted that a fair and transparent system was followed in deciding upon the allocation of coal blocks.

The ministry officials also said that the decision of coal block allocations is only taken after intense scrutiny and extensive deliberations. It is believed that the government incurred the huge loss while it allotted 149 blocks to several private companies during 2004-2006.