<div>Since 1993, when the coal sector was opened up for captive mining, as many as 289 blocks — with about 43 billion tonnes of geological reserves — have been allotted to various companies, including 179 to those in the private sector. An overwhelming majority of the allotments was made during the UPA regime; quite a few blocks were given away by the earlier dispensations as well. Here is a lowdown on the various ministers and the blocks awarded by them.<br /><strong><br />(Compiled by Yashodhara Dasgupta)<br /><br />(Graphic: Sajeev Kumarapuram)</strong><br /><br /><strong><a href="/en/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=27a3cc5f-7c36-468f-8b12-f06757d50d9c&groupId=222922" target="_blank">Click Here To Download Infographic</a></strong><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.800000190734863px; line-height: normal; ">(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 24-09-2012)</span> </div>
