The CBI, probing the Coalgate scam, suspects that around 157 private companies were allegedly eliminated irregularly to favour the ineligible beneficiary companies in the allocation of captive coal blocks.
Among the key missing files are copies of 157 private companies who had applied for the captive coal blocks but were not allocated the same. “Despite repeated reminders by the CBI, the coal ministry has not provided copies of 157 private companies which had applied for 45 blocks between 1993 to 2005. This issue was discussed even in a high-level meeting called to examine the non-availability of files or documents related to allocation of coal blocks, chaired by the additional secretary (coal) on July 16 at the ministry’s office in Shastri Bhavan,” sources said.
Sources further said that the only reply the agency sleuths got from the coal ministry was that it had requested all ministries concerned or departments to help trace the missing records.
“The agency has sought documents related to the recommendation made for allocation of Bander coal block in Maharashtra to a Nagpur-based private company from the coal ministry. Probe has revealed that the recommendation for the allocation of this block was reportedly forwarded by the PMO. These documents have not been provided to the CBI so far,” sources added.
The coal ministry may approach the PMO for providing a copy of the letter which had been forwarded to it, sources said, adding this may be later provided to the CBI. Besides, the coal ministry has also not provided final minutes of the 26th screening committee meeting held on May 1, 2005, sources said. “The agency sleuths have been informed by the ministry officials that only draft minutes of the 26th screening committee meeting are available with them. The agency can not complete its probe with the draft minutes,” sources said.
The CBI is also waiting for certain documents related to the allocation of captive coal blocks of Lohara (East) in Maharashtra from the ministry. The role of at least two former officials of the steel ministry is under the scanner of the agency in connection with the CBI’s probe related to the allocation of coal blocks of Lohara (East), sources added.