Coal minister seeks CBI probe into mines allocation since 1993

Amid political storm over coal blocks allocation, Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal has sought a CBI probe into mines allocation since 1993.

Seeking the CBI probe, he has also forwarded a letter written by seven parliamentarians to the CVC that blocks allotted between 1993 and 2004 (NDA rule) should be investigated by the CBI, as favours were done to parties under political pressure.

The missive by Jaiswal was sent on Wednesday along with the letter by the MPs written on September 5.

"Investigation must cover what system they (state governments) adopted to ensure transparent allocation, and what criteria and selected guidelines were adopted and followed by state government, what method of due-diligence were employed for the same," the MPs wrote in the letter apprehending many cases of malpractices during the NDA rule.

Seeking a probe in the light of recent CAG report, they said in many cases where "joint ventures have been formed between state government corporations and private parties, there is information that many of these were done through favours to certain parties and under political pressure."

The letter of MPs also sought for enquiry as to what system the Government of India put in place for selection of companies for coal block allocation between 1993 to 2004 and whether these guidelines were followed and how were joint venture partners selected.

"What systems were adopted (block allocation) and whether there was fair play in these selections? This should be done with alacrity since current focus on allocation of coal needs full and complete investigation since inception of new policy since 1993," the letter mentioned. MORE PTI SID NAM VSC YB 09212001 NNNN

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The MPs who have raised the issues, include Sandeep Dikshit, Harish Chaudhary, Ravneet Singh, Choudhary Lal Singh, Manicka Tagore and Raghuvir Singh Meena.

The CBI is already probing alleged scam in allocation of coal mines made between 2006 and 2009 on the direction of the country's top anti-corruption body.

The CAG in its latest report estimated undue benefits of Rs 1.86 lakh crore to private firms due to allocation of 57 mines without auction.

The issue of allocation is also being reviewed by an Inter-Ministerial Group (IMG) which has concluded the scrutiny of 29 blocks allotted to private companies and is likely to review 29 more given to government firms from October 9.

Apart from recommending de-allocation of 13 blocks, the panel has so far recommended deduction of bank guarantee in cases of 14 mines. PTI SID NAM VSC YB 09212004 NNNN