The CBI, which is probing the Coalgate scam, has shortlisted eight companies that were recipients of coal blocks between 2006 and 2009. These companies are under the scanner of the CBI because of their suspicious credentials, sources said.
“The agency will soon call senior representatives of eight companies for certain clarificantions. The agency has also sought relevant documents related to these companies from the coal ministry,” sources said.
The CBI is probing alleged irregularities in allotment of coal blocks to both private players and public sector enterprises between 2006 and 2009. Besides, the agency is also preparing a list of those companies and individuals who were not eligible for the allocation of coal blocks.
“The agency has also sought documents related to eight companies from the power ministry and department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP). Initial probe by the agency has revealed that irregularities were allegedly committed while allocating coal blocks to at least eight companies”, sources said.
The agency is also probing the role of some officials of coal ministry in this regard, sources added.
If required, the CBI sleuths may seek clarification from members of the “screening committee,” who allocated coal blocks to these companies, also, sources said. Probe by the agency has already revealed that maximum number of coal blocks were allocated between 2005 and 2009.
“While in 2005 around 24 coal blocks were allocated by the ministry, in 2006 total 53 blocks were given. Besides, 52 in 2007, 24 in 2008 and 16 in 2009 were allocated,” sources said.
The CBI sleuths are also collecting details about those companies whose applications were rejected, sources said.