Despite the deadline fixed by the Supreme Court, it’s unlikely that the coal ministry will be able to provide the CBI some crucial files sought by it to complete its probe into the coalgate scam as the ministry has reportedly not been able to locate certain required documents.
According to sources, files which have still not been located by the coal ministry so far include, documents related to the recommendation made for allocation of Bander coal block in Maharashtra to a Nagpur-based private company, final minutes of the 26th screening committee meeting and report of the financial experts from CIL submitted before the 35th screening committee.
Slamming the Centre for not providing documents even after repeated reminders by the CBI, the SC on August 29 had asked the CBI to give the list of documents, files and information sought by it within five days to the coal ministry which, in turn, has been directed to furnish them within two weeks thereafter. The deadline for handing of the files to the CBI expires on September 17.
Sources further said, “The coal ministry may send a final list of files pertaining to coal block allocations, which could not be located, to the CBI in a day or two. The agency is waiting for the reply of the ministry”.
The agency has also sought several important documents from the coal ministry to complete its probe in the coalgate scam.