Coal news and updates

CBI files 23rd FIR in coal block allocation scam

Revati Cements was allocated the Thesgora B Rudrapuri coal block without meeting the required norms

 The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered the 23rd First Information Report in the coal block allocation scam against Madhya Pradesh-based Revati Cement, directors Umesh Shara, Kailash Shara and Chinmaya Palekar and unknown members of the 36th screening committee.

The company was allocated the Thesgora B Rudrapuri coal block without allegedly meeting the required norms. The agency has charged that “the screening committee deliberately did not follow the guidelines and showed undue favour to the company.”

CBI conducted raids in Indore and Satna in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday in connection with the case. The agency has laid charges of criminal conspiracy and criminal misconduct against all the accused. The recent cases are among the list of coal block allocations referred by CBI to the Central Vigilance Commission. CBI had initially said that the evidence in these cases was not sufficient to register an FIR.

The agency had registered two FIRs last week in the coal scam at the reference of the Central Vigilance Commission. Of these it has closed four cases and filed chargesheets in two other cases. The agency is also preparing to register more chargesheets in the case against former coal secretaries including H C Gupta and former Jharkhand chief secretary A K Basu in the coal scam. So far there haven't been any chargesheets against any bureaucrat in the scam.

For 12 more coal block allocation where CVC has suggested that an FIR can be registered, CBI would not take any action immediately. Senior CBI official said that CVC has not clarified on what basis a case should be registered in these matters.

Source: Business Standard