The CBI on Monday expanded its probe into “Coalgate”, bringing under its scanner all captive coal allocations since 1993, including the six years of NDA rule. This followed a reference on this by the Central Vigilance Commission on Monday.
The CBI will soon request the coal ministry to hand over all documents on coal allocations since 1993. The earlier investigation required the CBI to examine allocations only between 2006 and 2009. It is likely to file multiple FIRs with the probe being widened, sources said.
Union coal minister Sriprakash Jaiswal had written to the Central Vigilance Commission last week seeking a CBI probe into all coal blocks allocated since 1993, when the government had started allocation to private players for captive use. He had also enclosed a letter written by seven MPs making the same demand.