Coal news and updates

CBI files 2 more FIRs in coal scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed two more FIRs in the coal scam against the two companies who where allotted coal block during the NDA regime. The FIRs have been filed against BLA Industries Pvt Ltd, Gastron Technologies Pvt Ltd and unknown officials of the Coal Ministry.

Dilip Ray and Karia Munda were the coal ministers when the companies were allotted coal blocks.

This comes after a senior official in Goa had on December 31,2013 said, "The agency may register two to three FIRs soon." This news is likely to bring little respite for the UPA government as it has been targeted by the BJP over the coal scam and coal block missing files.

The agency has registered 14 FIRs and three preliminary enquiries (PEs) to probe coal blocks allocation scam. CBI is looking into allocation made between 2006 and 2009.

The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) had in May, 2013 referred to CBI the case of alleged irregularities in allocation of coal blocks to public and private companies which has brought the government under attack from opposition. The CVC had then forwarded the case to CBI to probe the alleged irregularities in the coal block allocation by the Centre.

CBI is looking into coal blocks allocation since 1993 by respective governments-- including BJP-led National Democratic Alliance regime from 1998 to 2004 as well as those given during United Front rule in 1996-98.

The practice to give captive coal blocks to private power, steel and cement firms had begun in 1993, following an amendment to the Coal Mines (Nationalisation) Act.

Source: IBNLive