The initial probe by the CBI into the Coalgate scam has revealed that maximum number of irregularities in the allotment of coal blocks allegedly took place in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
According to sources the CBI, which has registered a “preliminary enquiry” (PE) to probe irregularities in the allotment of coal blocks, is set to file a regular case into the scam by the end of this week. The agency sleuths recently visited more than 60 coal blocks allocated to both private players and public sector enterprises between 2006 and 2009 in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, sources said adding certain coal blocks in Karnataka were also inspected by the CBI officials.
"Probe by the agency has revealed that a considerable number of private companies were allocated coal blocks in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh despite their alleged ineligibility. The agency is now preparing to register a case against these companies," sources said.
The agency also quizzed certain officials of the coal ministry in this regard, they added.
The agency is also examining the Comptroller-and-Auditor-General (CAG) report, which was tabled in Parliament on August 17. “The agency, which recently examined secretaries and joint secretary in the coal ministry, who are part of the screening committee, is now preparing to examine officials of certain coal-supplying states also,” sources said. The screening committee is chaired by the secretary, coal ministry.
It includes the secretaries of nine ministries having interests in coal, besides heads of various public sector units (PSUs) and chief secretaries of coal-supplying states are also part of it.
Immediately after registering FIR into the scam, the CBI will call representatives of certain private companies for questioning also, sources said.