Coalgate: CBI to quiz 3 companies

Coal blocks were given to ineligible firms

New Delhi, July 1: The CBI has shortlisted at least three mining and steel companies which were allocated coal blocks allegedly in violation of rules and might ask clarification from them on these issues.

The agency has this week visited the offices of coal ministry and collected files related to two steel companies and a power company, which were allegedly the beneficiaries of coal blocks allocated during 2006-09, CBI sources said.

CBI sources said the scrutiny of the documents, recently received from the coal ministry, power Ministry and industrial policy and promotion department has revealed that blocks were allocated to certain ineligible companies, sources said.

Sources said the agency

The CBI officials are looking to complete the preliminary enquiry in the case within a period of two months

has also shortlisted some companies which prima facie appear to have violated the conditions of captive use of coal block.

They said the agency will contact them to provide information related to operations and questions raised by the investigating officers.

However, since the probe is at a preliminary stage, the agency would only seek their point of view on the issues in an informal manner.

The sources said although the number of files to be scrutinised is humongous, they are looking to complete the preliminary enquiry in the case within a period of two months.

The agency had registered two preliminary enquiries in connection with the case referred to it by the Central Vigilance Commission.

The CBI had initiated preliminary enquiries in connection with the alleged irregularities in the utilisation and allocation of coal blocks allocated to private companies between 2006 and 2009. — PTI