During all these eight years the Prime Minister's office plays a direct role in avoiding a decision

During all these eight years the Prime Minister's office plays a direct role in avoiding a decision
on auction.
Congress leaders are now seeking to hide behind the opinion of some state governments
objecting to the bidding. What they do not reveal is that the objections of a few state governments
are only to the possible loss of a say in the allocation of coal blocks during the bidding
process. Therefore they argued for - (a) allotments for projects nearing completion or ready for
commissioning should not be reopened and the existing process should be continued, and (b) in
case the Union Government decided to make auctions mandatory, the states should be given
bigger compensation than the meager royalty that is currently doled out. To portray these legitimate
demands of all states (not only BJP-ruled but also CPM-ruled West Bengal and BJD-ruled
Odisha) as opposition of bidding is a deliberate and motivated misrepresentation of facts by the
cornered Congress Party.