Most de-allocated coal blocks could come to us: Coal India

State-run Coal India Ltd (CIL) Tuesday said the government could allot some or most of the de-allocated coal blocks to it for mining.

"We are not anticipating anything but, yes, if the government is going to de-allocate blocks, some or most of them could come to us," Coal India chairman S. Narsing Rao told reporters on the sidelines of the company's 38th Annual General Meeting here.

Asked further, Rao said he was just anticipating and there was no assurance by or understanding with the government.

The government has de-allocated five coal blocks as recommended by the Inter Ministerial group (IMG).

Rao ruled out any immediate hike in coal prices, although the increase in diesel prices, he said, would impact the miner's annual production cost by around Rs.600 crore.

A decision on this would be taken at an "appropriate time", he added.