Kolkata firm got block once owners changed

Sep 08, 2013 - PRAMOD KUMAR |

Age Correspondent

CBI investigations into the coalgate scam have revealed that the change in ownership of private companies affected the decisions of the coal ministry and the concerned state governments in favouring the allocation of captive coal blocks to particular companies.

The probe by the CBI has brought to light that the 36th screening committee on July 3, 2008 recommended the allocation of Rajhara North coal blocks to Kolkata-based Vini Iron and Steel Udyog Ltd allegedly after change in the ownership of the company.
“It has also been found that the then chief secretary of Jharkhand, who had earlier not recommended the company’s name for the same block, signed minutes of the screening committee recommending the allocation of the Rajhara block in favour of Vini Iron after its ownership changed,” sources said. The final minutes of the 36th screening committee meeting is one of the 29 crucial files that the CBI is waiting to get from the coal ministry.
“Despite repeated reminders, the coal ministry has so far not provided the final minutes of the 36th screening committee to the CBI. Sleuths have also found that the company had allegedly misrepresented and concealed facts in the application form in order to qualify and obtain wrongful gains in connivance with public servants,” sources said. The probe revealed that officials, in pursuance of a criminal conspiracy, wilfully and purposefully did not scrutinise documents regarding the false claims made by the firm, sources said.

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