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| Indian Supreme Court cancels 214 coal scandal permits | Indian Supreme Court cancels 214 coal scandal permits |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| India's Supreme Court has cancelled almost all the coal mining licences awarded by the government since 1993 in a corruption scandal which has cost the country tens of billions of dollars. | India's Supreme Court has cancelled almost all the coal mining licences awarded by the government since 1993 in a corruption scandal which has cost the country tens of billions of dollars. |
| The court scrapped 214 of 218 licences awarded from 1993-2010 after finding they had been awarded illegally. | The court scrapped 214 of 218 licences awarded from 1993-2010 after finding they had been awarded illegally. |
| The four units allowed to continue are linked to major state power projects. | The four units allowed to continue are linked to major state power projects. |
| In 2012, federal auditors said India had lost $33bn (£20bn) because coalfield rights were sold off cheaply. | |
| Last month, the Supreme Court said the licences were illegal since they were allocated in an "arbitrary" manner. | Last month, the Supreme Court said the licences were illegal since they were allocated in an "arbitrary" manner. |
| The companies have been given six months to wind down their operations. | The companies have been given six months to wind down their operations. |
| The court also ordered mine owners who were yet to start operations to pay a fine to the government for "non-operation". | The court also ordered mine owners who were yet to start operations to pay a fine to the government for "non-operation". |
| India is one of the largest producers of coal in the world and more than half of its commercial energy needs are met by coal. Correspondents say Wednesday's ruling has major implications for the country's energy sector. | India is one of the largest producers of coal in the world and more than half of its commercial energy needs are met by coal. Correspondents say Wednesday's ruling has major implications for the country's energy sector. |