CBI seeks files on 3 PSU coal blocks
The CBI is also seeking from the coal ministry certain documents related to the allocation of captive coal blocks to three Central public sector units (PSUs) as part of its probe into the Coalgate scam. The documents, which have been sought, are related to the allocations made before 2004, sources said.
Sources said despite repeated reminders to it, the coal ministry has not provided files sought by the agency. The CBI in September 2012 had registered its third preliminary enquiry (PE) to probe alleged irregularities in the allocation of captive coal blocks to Central and state government PSUs between 1993 and 2009. The agency has so far registered at least 13 FIRs related to the Coalgate scam.
“At least 70 captive coal blocks were allocated to Central and state PSUs between 1993 and 2009. The CBI sleuths have scrutinised documents of at least 49 coal blocks allocated to Central and state government-run PSUs between 1993 and 2009. The agency wants to initiate probe against senior officials of at least three PSUs. The probe can only be initiated after getting files from the ministry,” sources said. The states where coal blocks were allocated to PSUs include West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Sources further said, “Investigations have revealed that irregularities were allegedly committed in the allocations of three captive coal blocks of North Dhadu in Jharkhand and Madanpur-South in Chhattisgarh. The agency sleuths are also investigating the role certain officials of the coal ministry and steel ministry in this regard.”
“The state government PSUs who were allocated blocks in these two states include Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation Limited and Jharkhand State Mineral Development Corporation,” sources said.
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