Questions are being raised regarding the faulty investigations by the CBI into the coalgate scam, which was referred to the investigating agency by the Central Vigilance Commission almost a week back. Highly placed government sources pointed out that the CBI’s probe focused more on whether the companies allotted the coal blocks used the coal extracted by them properly or sold it at a much higher price, resulting in “windfall gains”.
The entire focus of the CBI, sources added, including seizing crucial documents from the coal ministry, was related to proper utilisation of coal by private companies. Ironically, this is at variance to the case referred to the CBI by the CVC which clearly stated that the agency should probe the revenue loss caused to the public exchequer by allocating coal blocks at a much lower rate. The CVC’s case was based on a complaint filed with the anti-corruption watchdog by BJP MPs Prakash Javdekar and Hansraj Ahir.
The Comptroller and Auditor General in its draft report had made similar allegations. But the CBI, it seems, is more determined to probe the second aspect of the case, related to “windfall gains”, rather than investigating the scam itself.