The CBI, investigating the Coalgate scam, is now preparing to seek nod from certain state governments to initiate probe against some senior officials of the state government-run Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
According to sources, role of at least seven officials of the state-government owned PSUs are under the scanner of the CBI in connection with agency’s probe related to alleged irregularities in the allocation of captive coal blocks. The CBI on Friday registered its third “Preliminary Enquiry” (PE) to probe alleged irregularities in the allocation of captive coal blocks to central and state government PSUs during 1993 to 2009.
“Seeking permission to initiate probe against officials of the state government-run companies, is a time taking process and may further delay agency’s probe into the Coalgate scam. This is the reason that immediately after registering PE, the CBI has started probing the role of senior officials of the state PSUs”, sources said.
The agency will soon write to the concerned state government to seek their permission for starting probe against certain officials of the PSUs, sources said. “The agency will also approach the competent authority to begin probe,” sources said. At least 72 captive coal blocks were allocated to central and state PSUs between 1993 and 2009. The states where coal blocks were allocated to PSUs include West Bengal, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhatt-isgarh, MP and Maharashtra.