Congress May seek Sonia-Manmohan help for coal blocks allotment

Ranchi, Jun 13 (UNI) Congress today said the it would ensure good coal blocks allotment to Jharkhand and May even seek help from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party president Mrs Sonia Gandhi for this.

Jharkhand Pradesh Congress Committee General Secretary Shailesh Sinha in a statement issued here said the party would not tolerate allotment of inferior coal blocks to Jharkhand which itself was the largest coal producer in the country.

''Fortunately, Mr Shibu Soren, a senior leader from the state, is the Union Coal Minister. So we should hope that there should be no problem in allotment of good coal blocks. Anyway, the state goverment should remain aware in this matter and also convene an all party meeting if there was any trouble,'' he said.

On the development issue, Mr Sinha said everyone should work together cutting across the party lines. ''If the need be, Congress will seek help from the Prime Minister and the party president.'' he said.

The political circles in the state were abuzz with allegations and counter-allegations on the reported allotment of inferior coal blocks to Jharkhand state electricity board and state mineral development corporation. Chief Minister Arjun Munda also called on Mr Soren in New Delhi yesterday and discussed the issue.

UNI RAJ KK PK VV1721