The CBI, probing the coalgate scam, is set to register multiple preliminary enquiries (PEs) to investigate the alleged irregularities in the allocation of captive coal blocks since 1993.
According to sources, the agency is also planning to seek additional manpower from the state and Central agencies to begin its investigations into the PEs. The agency on Monday expanded the ambit of its probe into the coalgate scam by bringing under its scanner all captive coal block allocations made since 1993, including the six-year NDA rule. The decision to expand the agency’s probe was taken after the CBI received a reference in this regard from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The earlier probe had required the CBI to examine allocations made during 2006 to 2009.
“The expanded probe will examine allocations of captive coal blocks made by the coal ministry, on the recommendations of the inter-ministerial screening committee, during the regime of five Prime Ministers — P.V. Narasimha Rao, Atal Behari Vajpayee, H.D. Deve Gowda, Inder Kumar Gujral and again Atal Behari Vajpayee (May 1998 — May 2004),” sources said. The probe's check-period has now expanded by 13 more years (1993 to 2006), sources said.